HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS AND EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN JERUSALEM AND HAIFA

4 December 2001



The following statement was issued today by High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson:
'I condemn the terrorist attacks perpetrated this week-end on Israeli civilians in Jerusalem and Haifa which left 28 dead and 237 injured, including many young people. These indiscriminate attacks on civilians violate the most basic human rights norms that affirm the right to life and the prohibition of extra-judicial killings.

I urge the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to investigate these heinous crimes and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Acts like this only fuel hatred and polarization. They will not lead to a resolution of the conflict. I urge the Israeli authorities to exercise utmost restraint in conformity with international law'.



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