Insurgents in Iraq are drawing criticism for terrorism: "Insurgents in Iraq are drawing criticism for terrorism
Human Rights Watch condemns the targeting of civilians and mass killings.
By Thomas Wagner
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Insurgent groups in Iraq are committing war crimes by targeting civilians in mass killings, abductions and beheadings, a human rights group said today.
Human Rights Watch, which often has criticized alleged abuses by U.S. forces in Iraq, turned its attention in its latest report to insurgent groups like al-Qaida in Iraq and Ansar al-Sunnah that have claimed responsibility for attacks in mosques, markets, bus stations and other civilian areas in Iraq.
The group also said the disregard for the lives of civilians in the mostly Muslim country was backfiring in terms of popular support for the insurgency elsewhere in the Arab world.
'People we have spoken with in the Middle East are increasingly repulsed by the behavior of insurgent groups in Iraq, even if they support a withdrawal of U.S. troops,' said Sara Leah Whitson, the region's Human Rights Watch director.
'There are no justifications for targeting civilians, in Iraq or anywhere else,' Whitson said. 'Armed groups as well as governments must respect the laws of war.'
Iraq's courts have convicted some insurgents, but there is no sign of a push for an international war crimes trial against militants, even if al-Qaida in Iraq's leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is caught.
The Shiite-dominated interim government is focusing on what it considers a higher-priority case: the trial of Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes during his time in power.
Hussein's trial is due to begin Oct. 19. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.
In the meantime, Iraqi and U.S. forces are trying to put down the Sunni-led insurgency amid stepped up attacks ahead of an Oct. 15 vote on a new constitution.
Al-Zarqawi's group has declared 'all-out war' on Shiites, and suicide bombers have killed at least 1,345 people since the government took power on April 28. Last week alone, car bombings hit markets in two Shiite towns, killing more than 110 people, one-fifth of them women and children."
I am the Master of the Obvious...
Human Rights Watch condemns the targeting of civilians and mass killings.
By Thomas Wagner
The Associated Press
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Insurgent groups in Iraq are committing war crimes by targeting civilians in mass killings, abductions and beheadings, a human rights group said today.
Human Rights Watch, which often has criticized alleged abuses by U.S. forces in Iraq, turned its attention in its latest report to insurgent groups like al-Qaida in Iraq and Ansar al-Sunnah that have claimed responsibility for attacks in mosques, markets, bus stations and other civilian areas in Iraq.
The group also said the disregard for the lives of civilians in the mostly Muslim country was backfiring in terms of popular support for the insurgency elsewhere in the Arab world.
'People we have spoken with in the Middle East are increasingly repulsed by the behavior of insurgent groups in Iraq, even if they support a withdrawal of U.S. troops,' said Sara Leah Whitson, the region's Human Rights Watch director.
'There are no justifications for targeting civilians, in Iraq or anywhere else,' Whitson said. 'Armed groups as well as governments must respect the laws of war.'
Iraq's courts have convicted some insurgents, but there is no sign of a push for an international war crimes trial against militants, even if al-Qaida in Iraq's leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is caught.
The Shiite-dominated interim government is focusing on what it considers a higher-priority case: the trial of Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes during his time in power.
Hussein's trial is due to begin Oct. 19. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.
In the meantime, Iraqi and U.S. forces are trying to put down the Sunni-led insurgency amid stepped up attacks ahead of an Oct. 15 vote on a new constitution.
Al-Zarqawi's group has declared 'all-out war' on Shiites, and suicide bombers have killed at least 1,345 people since the government took power on April 28. Last week alone, car bombings hit markets in two Shiite towns, killing more than 110 people, one-fifth of them women and children."
I am the Master of the Obvious...
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