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| Human Rights Attacked | Date: 08-10-2001 |
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HUMAN RIGHTS ATTACKED On the occasion of the meeting of its Executive Committee in Madrid on 29-30 September 2001, the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network unreservedly condemns the September, 11th attacks on the people of the United States as a crime against humanity. These attacks are not just unforgivable acts against our fellow world citizens, they are also attacks against the principles of human decency, human dignity and most crucially human rights. The members of the Network offer their heartfelt sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of those innocent citizens who died in these attacks. We recognise also the pain and suffering that these attacks have caused the American people. The attacks can in no way be justified or condoned – to do so would be an affront to human rights values. Those responsible must feel the full opprobrium of international society and the full weight of international human rights standards must be invoked to redress justice. As a network of some 60 organisations and individuals committed to the full realisation of human rights for each and every world citizen, we call on all states to root their response to the atrocities within international law and universal human rights values. Revenge and retribution have no place in such law or values and would amount to a crime in their own right. Not only would they further undermine fundamental rights and freedoms, they could contribute significantly to the cumulative suffering of the innocent. Military action will inevitably, deepen the suffering of some of the world’s poorest, weakest and least protected people. The Network therefore urges all states to adhere to international law and to human rights principles in responding to September 11th. Furthermore, we urge all governments to use every means possible to strengthen international law and its instruments as the only viable, positive and lasting alternative to violence and terror. We must not allow the perpetrators of the terror of September 11th to set the agenda and equally there can be no room for double standards in understanding and applying human rights. The glaring and growing inequalities and injustices that characterise the world today, the marginalisation of international law, and the pursuit of self interest, especially by the world’s wealthiest and most powerful states, have contributed significantly to the rise of intolerance and terrorism. Whole peoples have been and are denied some of their most basic rights – to life, human development, security and self-determination. These fundamental and unacceptable grievances must be addressed as part of the international response. In the particular context of the founding principles of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (as outlined in the Barcelona Declaration and Article 2 of the Association Agreements re-affirming respect for human rights as the basis of all international relations), the Network calls upon the states of the region and especially the EU to act directly to promote peace and justice in the Middle East in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the UN. The Network warns against the consequences of a solely security based approach to Euro-Mediterranean relations as these may seriously harm the cause of human rights and democracy. The Network also wishes to join with others in condemning the words and actions of those who would undermine or denigrate the peoples and cultures of the region. Through the promotion of awareness and practice of human rights, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network seeks to challenge the culture of death and despair which underpins September 11th and offer, in their place, reason, rights and hope. NOTES FOR EDITORS: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network was established in 1997. It is a regional network of about 60 human rights organizations and activists in the Euro-Mediterranean region working for the promotion and protection of human rights within the framework of the Barcelona Declaration and international human rights instruments. The Barcelona Declaration was adopted in November 1997 by the 15 EU members and 12 South Mediterranean countries. It aims at turning the Euro-Mediterranean region into an area of shared ’peace, stability and prosperity’ built on respect for human rights. The bilateral Association Agreements between the EU and single South Mediterranean partners contains an article (2) stating that respect for human rights and democratic principles underlies the policies of the Partners and is an essential element in the agreements. For further information please contact: Marc Schade-Poulsen, Executive Director / Marit Floe Joergensen, Information Officer Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Wilders Plads 8 H, DK-1403 Copenhagen K, Denmark Tel: +45-32 69 89 12 / Fax: +45-32 69 89 01 E-mail: info@euromedrights.net |
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