ed316
08-11-2006, 12:10 PM
UN rights body backs Israel probe
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to launch an inquiry into alleged abuses committed by Israel during its month-long offensive in Lebanon.
Human rights commissioner Louise Arbour backed the probe, but earlier called for Hezbollah to also face an inquiry.
She condemned both Israel and Hezbollah for the suffering inflicted on civilians in Lebanon and north Israel. Ms Arbour said there was evidence to strongly suggest that indiscriminate force was being used by both sides.
The session was called by 16 countries - most of them Islamic - who proposed a resolution that fiercely criticised Israel but made no mention of Hezbollah's actions.
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But Ms Arbour stressed that both sides had to be held to account for their actions during their conflict, which has so far lasted a month.
"Israeli attacks affecting civilians continue unabated," she said. "Also unrelenting is Hezbollah's indiscriminate shelling of densely populated centres in northern Israel which has brought death and destruction."
'Just cause'
Ms Arbour reminded the 47-member council that there had been repeated allegations of Hezbollah's systematic use of civilians as human shields. She also warned that war crimes may be committed "even by those who believe accurately or not that their combat is a just one and their cause a worthy pursuit".
The resolution before the council is expected to go to a vote later on Friday.
But the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva say it is unlikely to be passed unless it is amended to include condemnation not just of Israel but of Hezbollah too. The Council was launched in June to replace the largely discredited UN Human Rights Commission.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4783511.stm
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to launch an inquiry into alleged abuses committed by Israel during its month-long offensive in Lebanon.
Human rights commissioner Louise Arbour backed the probe, but earlier called for Hezbollah to also face an inquiry.
She condemned both Israel and Hezbollah for the suffering inflicted on civilians in Lebanon and north Israel. Ms Arbour said there was evidence to strongly suggest that indiscriminate force was being used by both sides.
The session was called by 16 countries - most of them Islamic - who proposed a resolution that fiercely criticised Israel but made no mention of Hezbollah's actions.
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But Ms Arbour stressed that both sides had to be held to account for their actions during their conflict, which has so far lasted a month.
"Israeli attacks affecting civilians continue unabated," she said. "Also unrelenting is Hezbollah's indiscriminate shelling of densely populated centres in northern Israel which has brought death and destruction."
'Just cause'
Ms Arbour reminded the 47-member council that there had been repeated allegations of Hezbollah's systematic use of civilians as human shields. She also warned that war crimes may be committed "even by those who believe accurately or not that their combat is a just one and their cause a worthy pursuit".
The resolution before the council is expected to go to a vote later on Friday.
But the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva say it is unlikely to be passed unless it is amended to include condemnation not just of Israel but of Hezbollah too. The Council was launched in June to replace the largely discredited UN Human Rights Commission.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4783511.stm