Global Policy Forum

The NGO Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS) has called for greater facilitation of humanitarian work in Iraq as well as guarantees of basic human rights for local people and aid workers during security operations. "Humanitarian work in Iraq has not been respected to any extent by the Multi-National Forces (MNF) [the US-led Coalition] and Iraqi security forces. Humanitarian work has been delayed due to unacceptable behaviour and the Iraqi population is suffering from this action," ICS spokeswoman, Catherine Dickehage, told IRIN from the Italian capital, Rome.

The ICS issued the statement after a shooting near Ramadi in the western Anbar governorate by MNF troops on 1 June, in which an ICS water-truck convoy was targeted. Aid officials said the vehicle was clearly marked as being part of the humanitarian relief effort. The driver was injured in the attack. In addition, Dickenhage said the ICS office in Baghdad was raided by the MNF on 30 May. Documents and essential equipment were confiscated in the counter-insurgency operation, she explained.

"We understand the duties of the security forces in Iraq but they should be very careful in differentiating civilians and humanitarian personnel from insurgents," Dickehage maintained. The aid agency has asked for compensation for losses sustained during the raid, which was considered as routine by US troops. A US military official in Iraq told IRIN that the operation was part of a search for insurgents in the area where the NGO was based and their premises had to be checked. However, the official did not explain why documents and computers were confiscated.

The ICS also called on the Iraqi government to ensure that human rights for the civilian population were observed during such security operations and that local and international troops fulfil their obligations in relation to international humanitarian law. There has been widespread criticism from human rights groups of the disregard and abuse of innocent civilians during operations against insurgents in the cities of Fallujah and al-Qaim in the western Anbar province, as well as the recent ‘operation lightning' in Baghdad, that involved more than 40,000 Iraqi troops.

The NGO also called for free access and delivery of assistance to beneficiaries during such operations to reduce the suffering of innocent people and also ensure the safety of their staff. "Aid agencies and their personnel have become targets for the MNF and this equates to violence against international humanitarian law. Urgent action should be taken by the government and the UN in Iraq," Dickehage urged.

The ICS statement added that the United Nation Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) and other humanitarian groups should establish mechanisms and a common understanding with both MNF and Iraqi security forces to avoid such non-discriminatory military actions. Allegations need to be promptly investigated and necessary corrective measures implemented.

The United Nations has already issued guidelines for interaction with the military in Iraq. "Agencies must ensure that their operational independence is guaranteed at all times...Humanitarian action must be conducted separately and clearly distinguished from military-led relief operations," the guidelines state.