U.N. Official Denounces Fallujah Killings

The United Nations top human rights official on Tuesday denounced the killing of civilians and injured people in Fallujah, saying violators of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice. Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, spoke in general terms and did not specifically mention insurgents' attacks against hostages or a U.S. military report that it is investigating the videotaped fatal shooting of a wounded man by a U.S. Marine in a mosque in Fallujah. "There have been a number of reports during the current confrontation alleging violations of the rules of war designed to protect civilians and combatants," Arbour said in a statement. "All violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law must be investigated and those responsible for breaches -- including the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, the killing of injured persons and the use of human shields -- must be brought to justice, be they members of the multinational force or insurgents," Arbour said. She also complained of she said was a lack of independent access to civilians trapped in Fallujah during the U.S.-led assault and an absence of information on the number of civilians casualties. [more]