IRAQ CRISIS: Weekly round-up Number 86 for 30 October - 5 November

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

Key Humanitarian Developments

The European Commission (EC) is planning the details of a €31.5 million (US $40.4992) package to support election activities in Iraq as EU leaders prepare to meet the Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

Most of the funds will be channelled through the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, although the EC will be funding a number of additional activities to support the election process, including European election experts to work with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and the UN in Baghdad, and to train Iraqi election observers.

These projects show the importance that the EU attaches to the holding of inclusive and transparent elections in Iraq, and its commitment to supporting the political transition towards a constitutionally elected Iraqi Government, an EC statement said. The Commission's total contribution to Iraq in 2003-2004 stands at almost €320 million (approx US $411 million).

As the trial of Saddam Hussein nears, there are claims that US-led Coalition forces in Iraq failed during last year’s invasion to safeguard official documents and the remains of victims in mass graves, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The watchdog organisation says this would have been crucial evidence for the upcoming trials of Saddam Hussein and other former Iraqi.

The 41-page report, “Iraq: The State of the Evidence,” says much information was lost or seriously tainted and gives details of what happened to some of the key archival and forensic evidence.

"In April 2003, former Iraqi officials left behind volumes of official papers documenting criminal policies and practices," the statement said.

“Given what’s at stake here, the extent of this negligence is alarming,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of HRW. “US and Iraqi authorities were aware that these documents and remains would be crucial to the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other former officials, but they did little to safeguard them.”

HRW urged Iraq’s interim government, with international assistance, to set up a joint Iraqi and international Commission for Missing Persons to establish effective procedures for protecting mass graves and conducting exhumations, and a similar body to oversee the handling of documents of the former government.

The World Food Programme (WFP) reported this week that the Public Distribution System (PDS) food distribution to all Iraqis was completed for October although shortages of some commodities are reported. "WFP continues monitoring in all 18 Iraqi governorates though information gathering in some governorates has been hindered recently by insecurity," the agency said in its latest update for November. Iraq's Ministry of Trade is responsible for the distribution.

In addition, WFP procured 4,300 mt of High Energy Biscuits (HEB) which will be used for school feeding activities in Iraq to until March 2005. Some 3,000 mt of wheat flour has also been procured for support to malnourished children, pregnant and lactating women, and tuberculosis patients until February 2005.

Meanwhile, ongoing fighting in the troubled central city of Fallujah, where US troops say they are trying to flush out insurgents, has caused major humanitarian concerns.

Amnesty International (AI) issued a statement on Thursday saying it was seeking assurances from both the US and Iraqi governments that they will comply with their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. It also called on the armed groups in Fallujah to comply with the rules of international law.

The organisation said it was concerned over scores of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian property during fighting which some say may have resulted from indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks.

"Amnesty International stresses that the government of the United States of America [USA] and the interim government of Iraq are legally bound to observe at all times the rules of all applicable human rights and humanitarian law treaties to which they are states parties, as well as rules of customary international law binding on all states," the statement said.

CONTENTS:

IRAQ: MSF withdraws from the country
IRAQ: Insecurity limits access to medical facilities
IRAQ: Isolated Sinjaris call for more development assistance
IRAQ: Mobile arts classes for rural children
IRAQ: Confirmation of voting register underway
IRAQ: Aid required urgently for Al-Mahmoudya
IRAQ: Medical clinic renovation in the south
IRAQ: US refuse in demand - but causing health problems
IRAQ: Cancer, not WMD, may be Saddam's legacy

[ENDS]