Freedom or Occupation? (Iraq-Palestine-Afghanistan)
Tuesday 5th August 2003

Organised by the General Arab Women Federation and sponsored by many other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like World Movement of Mothers and Union of Arab Jurists, a round table took place this afternoon, to discuss the problem of the repetition of the violations of human rights in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. This meeting will try to address one main question, said Mrs Juliette Sayegh, moderator and former UNICEF Representative to Iraq, in her introduction: how is it possible to create peace in an environment of law of force and occupation?

The meeting was separated in three different parts. At first, observations have been made by four speakers about the current situation in the concerned countries. The first intervention was made by Mr Abdel Jabar Al-Kobayssi, President of the Patriotic Alliance of Iraq. He underlined the Iraq's central position in the region, on social, political and economical ways, and the impact this position has on other countries around. He protested against the illegality of the war whose first victim is international law. After having driven the attention on the dramatic situation of the population in Iraq, above all of children, Mr Al-Kobayssi said that the resistance was the only solution for Iraqi people, resistance that grows stronger every day. The attitude should not be seen as aimed against the American people, but at the policy of its government. He finished by warning about the war consequences, maybe unforgettable, not only at the regional, but also at the international level.

Mr Razouk, the second speaker, President of the French Association of Persons of Arab Origin, insists also on the central position of Iraq, cradle of the conception of a united Arabic nation. He raised the question of the behaviour of occupation adopted by the United States, and suggests that we are confronted with a sort of neo-colonialism in the Middle East, at the expense of Europe, in the sense that the American presence impedes the European nations to keep good ties with Iraq, and to have a place in Middle East. For him, the only solution is to restore the authority of the Security Council, in order that it names a new administration for Iraq. The American policy induces to confrontation, and the risk is to set fire to the whole region with heavy consequences. So we must re-establish human values, in his own words.

Mr Jacques Vittori, President of Swiss Medical Aid for Palestinians, spoke about the situation in Palestine, underlying " the drama of the Palestinian civilian population, and the victims in driblets, almost every day, we are used to it at the end". "We must absolutely go back to the Geneva Conventions, he said, especially the fourth one. This will allow us to advance in the process of peace."

Finally, Mr Robert James Parsons, journalist, informed the participants of the situation in Afghanistan, above all of a worrying health problems of inhabitants. Indeed, people seem to show classic signs of an exposition to non-depleted uranium. The Uranium Medical Research Centre abnormally elevates rates measured according to some studies. A huge part of the territory of Afghanistan could have been contaminated, maybe by some bombings. Besides, it has been reported by papers that some American soldiers coming back from Iraq have been suffering from strange form of pneumonia. We stand here in front of the same situation as the Gulf War, when the scientists discovered the "Gulf syndrome" months later.
The second part of the meeting was dealing with the United Nations charter and humanitarian law. Mrs Krishna Ahooja Patel, President of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom made a comment on chapter VII of the charter. She said we are not allowed to speak of a war, we should say an aggression. United States is creating the conditions for a "re-colonisation" of the world, following a new pattern of economic sanctions, regime changes…so and so. Chapter VII is unfortunately impotent concerning the violations of human rights, she said. The Security Council even legitimated the situation of occupation, because of its resolution 1483, which transforms illegality into legality, that is the point tackled by the next speaker, Mr Malik Ozden, from Europe-Third World Centre. He pointed out the vagueness of the resolution, which does not provides a deadline for the occupation and said the resolution re-establishes the neo-colonialism in Iraq. He reminded us as well of the future actions that will take place in Europe against the occupation of Iraq, for example, demonstrations on the 27th September in 15 European countries.

The last part of the discussions was about the role of public opinion and the perspectives for peace and justice. Mr Jan Lonn, Chair of Swedish Network against war, recall to the participants the success of the 15th February 2003, when 40 millions people around Europe went down the streets to manifest against war. There were a feeling of emergency in people's minds, in reaction of the lack of norms and legality. It has been a very successful campaign. The public opinion must play an important role in this situation. Some of the anti-war coalitions are looking for ways of working out co-operation and solidarity with NGOs. The Sub-Commission shall be encouraged to speak out clearly about the Iraqi situation and to reassert the importance of human rights, he concluded.

The last minutes of the meeting were devoted to a public debate where the participants could ask questions or express their opinions. Mrs Patel summed up the main points of the reunion: at first, the occupation of Iraq has to end; a deadline has to be fixed by the United Nations. Second, we must return to the rule of law, and each country must implement the resolutions.

This meeting brought to light interesting facts about the situation in the three countries. The role of the United Nations must absolutely be reaffirmed. The speakers condemned firmly the United States unilateral intervention in Iraq as well as Israël attitude towards the Palestinian people.

By : Alicia Pary

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