Arab FMs condemn human right violations during Iraq occupation of Kuwait

CAIRO, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- The Arab League's ministerial council reiterated Thursday condemnation of the human rights violations committed by the deposed Iraqi regime during its occupation of the State of Kuwait.
In the aftermath of the seven-month long occupation, between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, the Iraqi authorities tended to conceal and blur the facts relating to the Kuwaitis missing in action and prisoners of war (M. and POWs). The bodies of many M. and POWs were found in mass graves later on.
Condemning these violations in a range of Iraq-related resolutions, the League's council expressed condolences for the families of the Kuwaiti war victims and profound sympathy with missing Kuwaitis and other nationals.
The council, meanwhile, hailed the ongoing cooperation between the governments of Iraq and Kuwait, on one hand, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on the other, to determine the fate of the missing people.
It also praised the technical assistance offered by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights and the desire stated by the Iraqi government to cooperate in settling the two-decade dispute.
The UN Security Council has decided to extend the mandate of UNAMI to July 31, 2011, a move which was highly commended by the council.
The council highlighted the importance of the Arab vision for tackling the political and security challenges facing Iraq with due respect for Iraq's sovereignty, stability, independence, national unity and territorial integrity.
It urged Iraq's neighbors to double their efforts in helping the Iraqi government to stabilize the country, combat terrorism and control the borders.
The council hailed the end of the mission of US combat forces in Iraq late August and the full withdrawal of the US forces, in late 2011 under the US-Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
It also commended the progress of Iraq's democratization as shown by the March 7 legislative vote which was monitored by a mission from League.
It urged the Iraqi leading politicians to step up the efforts aiming to form a new government and stabilize the political situation in the country.
It called on all participants in the International Conference on Iraq, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in May, 2007, to review the results of the gathering relating to covenant on Iraq, the energy, security and cooperation in stabilization of Iraq.
The council asked the League's Secretary General Amr Moussa to produce a report to the upcoming session of the council on the situation of Iraqi refugees and displaced people. It urged for improving the quality of life of the refugees and granting them entry visas or helping them return voluntarily to their homes; it appreciated the efforts being made in this regard by the League's Secretariat and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. (end) mab.mfm.az.gb KUNA 162048 Sep 10NNNN