The war against Iraq must not take place                      24.10.02

The military intervention in Iraq planned by the US government under the auspices of the United Nations or otherwise threatens to compromise the possibility of a peace settlement in the Middle East for many years to come. Once again - and more explicitly - it would illustrate the politics of double standards, and, because of the impact a military intervention would have upon the people in the region, jeopardize the future of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

It must be emphasised in this respect that Israel, a heavily armed State, has not only failed to comply with international resolutions and the humanitarian Geneva Conventions, but has also violated successive peace agreements signed under the auspices of the great powers, notably the United States, benefiting from their unconditional support. Implementing the principle of collective responsibility, Israel exercises permanent military aggression against the entire Palestinian population with impunity, resulting in fundamental human rights violations on a massive scale.

Military intervention in Iraq is not only unjustified de jure but also de facto in view of the contempt shown by Israel for international law. Even under the banner of the United Nations, military intervention would illustrate the politics of double standards in a way hitherto unseen. Moreover, military intervention would greatly endanger the Iraqi populations, who are already suffering as a result of the international embargo in place since 1990. This embargo has been denounced as a devastating course of action by several international human rights organisations.   

Admittedly, for more than two decades the Iraqi people have been living under a bloodthirsty dictatorship, one which is based on the systematic repression of individual and collective human rights and which has been denounced unanimously by the human rights movement. However, this situation does not justify any military intervention.

Over and above the geo-political considerations and interests of a great power, in the case of Israel as well as Iraq, priority must be given to international law within the framework of the UN Charter in respect of resolutions taken by the international community and the conventions and mechanisms relating to human rights.

This is why the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, which was created to help play a role in implementing the objectives of the Barcelona Declaration, opposes any military intervention in Iraq. 

The Network believes that the European Union, notably France and the United Kingdom, members of the security council, and in addition Syria, have a crucial role to play in the present situation: helping to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict, the lifting of the economic embargo against Iraq, the continued protection of the Kurdish population in Iraq, recognition for a Palestinian State alongside Israel and the promotion of a just and lasting peace.