DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION FORCES UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS TO POSTPONE MISSION TO LEBANON

7 August 2006

The Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Walter Kälin; the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Paul Hunt; and the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, Miloon Kothari; issued the following statement today:

We remain extremely concerned about the impact of the continuing armed conflict on the human rights and humanitarian situation of the civilian populations of Lebanon and northern Israel.

Because of our grave concerns, we sought an invitation from the Governments of Lebanon and Israel to visit both countries as a matter of urgency. Last week, we received a positive response from the Government of Lebanon.

Due to the on-going deterioration of the security situation we had to postpone our mission to Beirut scheduled to start today Monday 7 August.

We remain very keen to visit Lebanon, and Israel, as a matter of urgency later this month, as soon as the security situation permits.