GENEVA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The continued killing and
maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory
could constitute war crimes, the UN's human rights chief said on Wednesday.
"International humanitarian law is clear on the supreme obligation to protect civilians during hostilities,"
Louise Arbour, the UN high commissioner for human rights said in a strong-worded
statement.
"This obligation is also expressed in international
criminal law, which defines war crimes and crimes against humanity," she said.
The high commissioner also called for accountability
for any breaches of international law in the conflict areas.
"International law demands accountability. The scale
of the killings in the region, and their predictability, could engage the
personal criminal responsibility of those involved, particularly those in a
position of command and control," she said.
In the statement, Arbour expressed "grave concern
over the continued killing and maiming of civilians in Lebanon, Israel and the
occupied Palestinian territory."
She recalled that parties to a conflict have the
obligation to exercise precaution and respect the principle of proportionality
in all military operations so as to prevent unnecessary suffering among the
civilian population.
"Indiscriminate shelling of cities constitutes a
foreseeable and unacceptable targeting of civilians," she said. "Similarly, the
bombardment of sites with alleged military significance, but resulting
invariably in the killing of innocent civilians, is unjustifiable."
The high commissioner also warned about the
deteriorating humanitarian situation, in particular in southern Lebanon, where
the population is reported to be increasingly deprived of access to basic
services due to the violence.
"The situation in the south of Lebanon is alarming,"
she said. "A large and steadily increasing number of persons have been forcibly
displaced. The most basic human rights of the population are at risk or are
being violated, including their rights to life, health and food."
The unrestricted and secure passage of all
humanitarian assistance, including rapid and unimpeded access for humanitarian
workers should be ensured as a matter of priority, she added.
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