Statements opposing sanctions against Iraq by several NGOs, members of US Congress, and individuals such as Archbishop James Weisgerber, former chief of UNSCOM Richard Butler, former UN Humanitarian Coordinators in Iraq Hans von Sponeck and Denis Halliday.
2002
Catholic Bishops Add Voice to Anti-War Protests (November 16, 2002)
On behalf of the bishops of England and Wales, the Archbishop of Westminster calls for the lifting of sanctions and the moral responsibility to avoid war. The Archbishop argues that "the lifting of comprehensive sanctions and the reintegration of Iraq into the international community is the route which must now be explored." (Guardian)
UN Embargo on Iraq Remains Flawed, Groups Say (August 7, 2002)
On the 12th anniversary of the imposition of sanctions against Iraq, a coalition of NGOs, including Global Policy Forum, has released a comprehensive report. "The coalition says that while the government of Iraq bears a large responsibility for the suffering of its people, the Security Council is in clear breach of its obligations under international law." (Inter Press Service)
Letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan Concerning Sanctions Against Iraq (July 1, 2002)
Letter by several NGOs to Kofi Annan regarding the humanitarian impact of sanctions against Iraq, urging the Secretary general to "appoint a group of independent experts to prepare a comprehensive report and analysis."
2000
Human Rights Watch Criticizes SC on Sanctions (September 21, 2000)
Human Rights Watch strongly criticized the government of Iraq for refusing to cooperate with United Nations efforts to assess the country's humanitarian situation. HRW wrote to President Saddam Hussein calling for Iraq to reconsider its stance of non-cooperation, and to the Security Council, criticizing the negative humanitarian impact of sanctions. (HRW Press Release)
Letters of Invitation to Congress Members (September 2000)
Justice Promoters of the Dominican Order are inviting religiously affiliated organizations and congregations to endorse and support invitations to congress members for a US Congressional delegation to Iraq in January 2001.
Letter on Sanctions from Archbishop James Weisgerber (August 1, 2000)
This letter to Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, from the Chairman of the CCCB's Social Affairs Commission, Archbishop James Weisgerber, demands that Canada ends economic sanctions against Iraq.
Richard Butler; Diplomat in Residence, Council on Foreign Relations (May 21, 2000)
In an interview, Mr. Richard Butler, former chief of UNSCOM, said he believes that there is evidence that without disarmament monitoring in the past 18 months, Iraq has been rebuilding the plants to produce weapons of mass destruction. (San Diego Union-Tribune )
Former Senior UN Officials Denounce Iraq Sanctions at Congressional Briefing (May 4, 2000)
Former UN Humanitarian Coordinators in Iraq, Hans von Sponeck and Denis Halliday, as well as an unlikely ally in former weapons inspector Scott Ritter, called upon the US government to abandon its policy towards Iraq, which they linked directly to the humanitarian disaster there. (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee)
Kucinich, Members of Congress Ask Albright for Meeting on Iraq Sanctions Policy (April 19, 2000)
Press release describing a letter sent by members of Congress to US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright urging that the US reevaluate its policy on Iraq and provide better humanitarian aid. It indicates that there is some movement on an issue that the US has been almost entirely silent about.
Downer Should Act to Stop Genocide in Iraq (April 11, 2000)
Article by Clare Henderson, Executive Officer of the Medical Association for Prevention of War, on the need for Australia's Foreign Minister Downer to treat the issue of sanctions in Iraq with the seriousness it deserves.
The Real Impacts of Economic Sanctions on Iraq, Former United Nations Official Speaks Out
Briefing on the visit to Australia by Denis Halliday by Dr Sue Wareham, President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War, Australia.
New York Times on Iraq Sanctions: A Case Of Journalistic Malpractice (March 23, 2000)
This article reveals the misrepresentaion of a specific account on Iraq Sanctions from the New York Times, reiterating for the intelligent reader the importance of taking into account journalistic bias. (Fair's Extra)
Is the US Attempting to Dismember Iraq?
Richard Becker claims that US/British bombing of Iraq has been systematic and might be their attempt to dismember Iraq.
Press Briefing with Hans von Sponeck (March 1, 2000)
Outgoing Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Hans von Sponeck, explains the inadequacy of the oil-for-food program and its results on health and education standards.
Tough on Iraq (February 28, 2000)
Letter to the Editor of the Washington Post from Asst. Secretary of State for Public Affairs, James Rubin, in disagreement with headlines of articles in the Post implying that the US plans to "ease" sanctions on Iraq.
World Council of Churches Tells UN to Lift Iraq Sanctions (February 18, 2000)
Saying the sanctions are punishing the poor people of Iraq who are not to blame for the actions of their government and urging the suspension of the sanctions.
US and Britain Combine to Maintain Crippling Sanctions on Iraq (January 5, 2000)
A World Socialist Website view on the hypocrisy of sanctions on Iraq.
1999
Annan Confronts US on Iraq Humanitarian (October 25, 1999)
The Secretary General criticizes Washington's policy towards Iraq, its lack of cooperation with the UN to allow greater humanitarian relief and US unwillingness to be flexible in negotiations over the future of UN policy in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Top UN Officials Answer Common Misconceptions (September 7, 1999)
A collection of valuable remarks by high-level officials of the Iraq humanitarian teams. (Citizens Concerned for the People of Iraq, CCPI)
A Call To Action on Sanctions and the US War Against the People of Iraq (Spring 1999)
Noam Chomsky and others point out the terrible humanitarian impact of the sanctions and the war against Iraq.
Former UN Official Calls for Radical Rethink on Iraq (January 27, 1999)
Dennis Halliday expresses his opinion on the effectiveness of the UN sanction against Iraq.
Sanctions Have an Impact on All of Us (January 5, 1999)
Comments by Denis Halliday, former United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, shortly after he resigned his post in protest over the sanctions' devastating impact on the Iraqi people.
1998
Iraq and Sanctions: An MCC Comment (May 29, 1998)
Commentary by the Mennonite Central Committee about their position towards the sanctions in Iraq.
Lavrov's Statement on Iraq (March 2, 1998)
Statement on Iraq made to the Security Council by H.E. Sergey Lavrov, representative of the Russian Federation.
1997
"Iraqi Health System Close to Collapse" (February 27, 1997)
World Health Organization statement sheds light on the humanitarian implications of the Iraq sanctions policy.
