HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS SUICIDE ATTACKS AGAINST ISRAELIS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 19 May (UN Information Service) -- Following is a statement issued today by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello:

The High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns the latest suicide bombings against Israeli civilians.  Such acts serve only to destroy innocent civilian life and demonstrate the utterly repugnant nature of terrorism.

Reaffirming his total repudiation of all acts of violence targeting innocent civilians, the High Commissioner echoes the Secretary-General's call on the Palestinian leadership to do everything in its power to de-legitimize and stop terrorism.  The High Commissioner is also concerned by the number of Palestinian civilians killed in recent days.  He calls on the Government of Israel to act in conformity with its obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law and to ensure the safety of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories. 

The High Commissioner considers it critical that the parties do not allow the attacks -- a direct assault on efforts to achieve progress on the “Road Map” for a peaceful settlement in the region –- to succeed in derailing peace talks.  Israel and the Palestinian leadership must do their utmost to break the cycle of violence and ensure that peace, built on a solid foundation of full respect for human rights, becomes a reality.

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