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#11
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 12:38:09 -0400
From: Maria Pulzetti <pulzetm@hrw.org>
Subject: Human Rights Watch on 9/11 Attacks

In response to Robert Ware's query about human rights groups's silence:
Below is the first public statement Human Rights Watch made regarding
last week's attacks. HRW is closely following U.S. and international
reactions and will have a research presence working close to the
conflict zone. More statements surely will follow in coming weeks.
Human Rights Watch Response to Attacks on the U.S.
Civilian Life Must Be Respected
(New York, September 12, 2001) -- We profoundly condemn yesterday's
cruel attacks in the United States and express our condolences to the
victims and their loved ones. This was an assault not merely on one
nation or one people, but on principles of respect for civilian life
cherished by all people. We urge all governments to unite to investigate
this crime, to prevent its recurrence, and to bring to justice those who
are responsible.
Last night, President Bush said that the United States "will make no
distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those
who harbored them." Yet distinctions must be made: between the guilty
and the innocent; between the perpetrators and the civilians who may
surround them; between those who commit atrocities and those who may
simply share their religious beliefs, ethnicity or national origin.
People committed to justice and law and human rights must never descend
to the level of the perpetrators of such acts. That is the most
important distinction of all.
There are people and governments in the world who believe that in the
struggle against terrorism, ends always justify means. But that is also
the logic of terrorism. Whatever the response to this outrage, it must
not validate that logic. Rather, it must uphold the principles that came
under attack yesterday, respecting innocent life and international law.
That is the way to deny the perpetrators of this crime their ultimate
victory.

Maria K. Pulzetti
Associate
Europe and Central Asia Division
Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
tel: (212) 216-1844
fax: (212) 736-1300
email: pulzetm@hrw.org
http://www.hrw.org/

 
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