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Discovery of mutilated bodies causes shock

    ABIDJAN

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan “is shocked by reports from Sierra Leone that several mutilated bodies have been found wearing United Nations uniforms,” the secretary-general’s spokesman, Fred Eckhard, reported.

    Sierra Leone government forces discovered the bodies on Monday in an area northeast of Freetown. Humanitarian sources in the Sierra Leone capital said a UN team travelled to the area on Tuesday to investigate.

    “At this time, it is by no means certain that the bodies belong to United Nations peacekeepers,” Eckhard said on Monday. “However, the Secretary-General is appalled by the culture of violence and cruelty which pervades the conflict in Sierra Leone. He calls on all parties to respect fully international humanitarian law and recognized standards of human rights.”

    The Secretary-General hopes that the continuing efforts by regional leaders will lead to the expeditious and unconditional release of all United Nations personnel detained by the Revolutionary United Front.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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