Amnesty International: Firm action urged to ensure accountability in Gaza conflict

[EFerrari]

Firm action urged to ensure accountability in Gaza conflict
12 January 2009

Amnesty International has written to the United Nations Security Council calling for the establishment of full accountability for crimes committed in Gaza conflict and for deployment of human rights monitors. This follows the near unanimous adoption on Thursday of a resolution calling for an immediate and durable ceasefire in Gaza.

In the letter, Amnesty International is calling on the Security Council to take firm action to ensure full accountability for war crimes and other serious abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Fighting continues in the region, with Israeli forces continuing to carry out attacks directed at civilians or civilian buildings in the Gaza Strip as well as other disproportionate attacks. Palestinian armed groups continue to carry out rocket attacks directed at Israeli population centres. The toll of civilian casualties continues to rise alarmingly.

UN Security Council resolution 1860 calls for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire", for unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance and the reopening of crossing points into Gaza. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 14 in favour. The United States abstained.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU200901128936&lang=e&rss=recentnews

[EFerrari]

1. UN chief heads to Mideast to press Gaza resolution (AP)

UN chief heads to Mideast to press Gaza resolution
The Associated Press

Tue, Jan 13, 2009 (12:27 a.m.)

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon heads to the Mideast on Tuesday to step up diplomatic efforts to get Israel and Hamas to adhere to a U.N. cease-fire resolution in the Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian aid into the devastated Palestinian territory.

Since Israel launched its air and ground offensive on Dec. 27, Ban said he has been on the phone constantly with top officials in the Middle East, Europe and the United States promoting a cease-fire. But he said phone calls aren't a substitute for direct talks with leaders who have influence on the parties.

"To both sides, I say: Just stop, now," the U.N. chief told a news conference Monday. "Too many people have died. There has been too much civilian suffering. Too many people, Israelis and Palestinians, live in daily fear of their lives."

The secretary-general said he was trying to visit all countries that "can make a difference." He will meet senior officials in Egypt and Jordan Wednesday, then head to Israel, the Palestinian-controlled West Bank, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait where he said an Arab League summit may add an extra session to tackle the Gaza conflict.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/13/un-chief-heads-to-mideast-to-press-gaza-resolution/