UNHCHR concerned about protection of civilians

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) on Monday expressed profound concern at the continuing armed conflict in Liberia, its consequences and toll on the civilian population, the UNHCHR reported. In a statement, Sergio Vieira de Mello, urged all parties to the conflict "to commit themselves immediately to the protection of civilians, especially their physical integrity and the means necessary for their survival and exhorts them to resolve their differences peacefully within the context of the rule of law and democratic principles." The High Commissioner, the statement said, had continued to receive credible reports of serious abuses and violations of human rights and humanitarian law by both parties, including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, deliberate targeting of civilians, abductions and forcible recruitment of children and displaced persons in camps. "Parties to the conflict should ensure respect for human rights and humanitarian law in areas under their control and in the conduct of hostilities. Where these abuses and violations occur, parties have an obligation to bring perpetrators to justice," UNHCHR said. "The High Commissioner underlines that there can be no impunity for violations of human rights and humanitarian law." UNHCHR endorsed an appeal by the Security Council and International Contact Group on Liberia to the Government of Liberia and the rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), to enter into cease fire negotiations. The Liberian conflict has pitted government forces against the LURD since 1999 when the rebels took up arms to try and topple President Charles Taylor. Fighting has escalated in recent weeks, displacing thousands of people.