(KUNA) -- The United Nations High Commmissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed Wednesday her deep concern for civilian victims of the hostilities between forces of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and militia of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in Somalia. In a staement issued today, Arbour added that the conflict, which broke out near Baidoa on 20 December, is reported to be escalating and has resulted in the displacement of local populations in many parts of south and central Somalia. She spoke too soon. It's actually ending.
Arbour urged the parties to respect international humanitarian law protecting civilians in conflict, and expressed particular concern that civilian casualties and fatalities due to the fighting may increase in the coming days. In response to recent reports of aerial bombardments by Ethiopian forces in the Mogadishu and Baidoa areas, Arbour insisted that the laws of war must be respected at all times. Arbour noted that it is unacceptable that the people of Somalia are again facing an upsurge in violence, displacement and human rights violations . She reiterated the call of the Secretary-General that both sides cease the hostilities immediately. Arbour also reminded all concerned of the need to fully respect humanitarian law during conflict and of the duty to protect the human rights of civilians at all times.
| As Rummy noted when similar concerns were raised about civilians and the 'brutal winter' as we opened the campaign in Afghanistan, the best way to take care of the civilians is to win quickly. |