U.S. civic and religious groups announce protest movements to request lifting of anti-iraq embargo
Iraq, Politics, 4/28/1999

A coalition of U.S. civic and religious groups launched on Tuesday an appeal for the immediate lifting of the economic sanctions enforced against Iraq for eight years now entailing more than 1.2 million civilian victims.

In a joint press conference held at the "National Press Club," the organizations condemned as "cruel and illegal" economic sanctions decided by the U.N. security council and called US president, Bill Clinton, to endeavor for the immediate lifting of the embargo that is punishing only the Iraqi people.

They also stressed the need to promote the US public opinion awareness on the unfair sufferings experienced by the Iraqi people who have been denied most basic rights.

They considered as a total failure the sanctions, and particularly the oil-for-food program which, they said, failed to meet the Iraqis' needs.

According to UNICEF, More than 50,000 children, aged below 5, have died in 1997 as a result of the lack of medical care and basic food. Every 12 minutes, one children dies due to sanctions, which is a daily toll of 250 children.

Reverend John Dear, from the "Fellowship of Reconciliation" called the American public to send letters, faxes and electronic messages to the senate and the White House, asking for the sanctions lifting. He also called all peace-loving people to join in the "campaign to save a generation."

Hassan Ibrahim, from the Muslim Society Committee" and Hussein Ibish, from the Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) explained that thousands of activists from all over the USA will defy the federal government by sending by post vitamins, aspirin, soap and other commodities to Iraq. He went on that returned packages will be deposited at the office of senators and representatives.

"Iraq Action Coalition Student Committee" announced that demonstrations will be held in about 100 university campuses to show solidarity with the Iraqi people.

On her part, Kathy Kelly who represents "Voices of Wilderness," a Chicago-based group, and who has just returned from Baghdad said her organization will continue to send "medicine and toys" to Iraq despite the sanctions.

Early this month, doctors from two U.S.-based groups traveled to Iraq on Monday and donated $50,000 worth of medicines and books, risking as much as 12 years in prison and $500,000 in fines.

The physicians' group, composed of nurses, medical students and human rights activists, also donated $28,000 worth of antibiotics to the hospitals.

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search