[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Vieira de Mello issued a statement on the war in Iraq Thursday. He said:

At this moment, I must recall the international obligations of the Parties to adhere strictly to the fundamental human rights of all. These rights must remain our guide through the tragedy of conflict. Even wars have rules.

Fundamental human rights norms must be respected at all times. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life. No one shall be arbitrarily detained and no one shall be subject to torture. Every person shall be presumed innocent. There must be no attacks on civilians and the sick and wounded must be cared for....

For some two decades, the people of Iraq have suffered enormously: wars, internal conflicts, denial of the entire spectrum of their rights and the human consequences of sanctions have created a nightmare scenario that can only inspire a huge sense of solidarity.