Today's attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad is a war crime and a serious blow to the international community's efforts to assist Iraqi people, Human Rights Watch said today.
First reports indicate that the explosion at the Canal Hotel building was caused by a car bomb. The converted hotel contains offices for hundreds of U.N. staff in Iraq and hosts meetings and conferences involving U.N. agencies.
Human Rights Watch called on all Iraqi political groups and community leaders to condemn the attack without reservation, and to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
"No political cause can ever justify intentional attacks on civilians," said Joanna Weschler, U.N. representative for Human Rights Watch. "What happened today in Baghdad violates the most fundamental principles of humanitarian law. It also undermines the U.N.'s work monitoring human rights in Iraq."
Human Rights Watch expressed its sympathy and concern for all those injured in the attack, as well as for the families and colleagues of those who were killed, including Mr. Vieira de Mello, who also served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
