Trócaire calls on the public to rally for ceasefire in Middle East

dublin | miscellaneous | event notice Monday July 31, 2006 12:41 by Lara Kelly, Campaigns Officer - Trocaire

Trócaire is calling the public to take action against the killing of innocent Lebanese, Israeli and Palestinian civilians caught up in the current violence in the Middle East. The organisation will hold a rally this evening, Monday, 31st of July 2006 at US Embassy, Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, D.4 at 6pm calling on the US government to use their influence to end the current crisis.

Calling for the public’s support today Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trócaire said “Despite the 48 hour suspension of air strikes by Israel in Lebanon, the United States and Europe must secure an immediate ceasefire by all parties. For the United States and Europe to allow the violence in Lebanon, Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory to continue demonstrates a cynical disregard for the hundreds of innocent civilians who are being killed. We are asking people to join us on Monday to make the voices of thousands of innocent civilians heard.”

Justin Kilcullen continued “By failing to back the UN and call for an immediate ceasefire the United States is putting the lives of innocent civilians at risk, instead of protecting them.”

Trócaire is calling for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire between all parties involved in the conflict and for international humanitarian law to be upheld by all countries. The organisation is also campaigning for the protection of all citizens by politicians and military leaders.

“In the face of the mounting death toll of innocent civilians in the Middle East the international community has a legal responsibility under International Humanitarian Law to use its influence to bring about an immediate ceasefire” according to Justin Kilcullen. “Punishing thousands of civilians as part of a military strategy is not only inhumane but contradicts the Fourth Geneva Convention which sets out standards of conduct for both state forces and armed groups under military occupation”.

The main focus of Trocaire’s work in the region remains in tackling the root causes of injustice and in speaking out against the wide-ranging human rights abuses that occur in the region.

Trócaire works with both Israeli and Palestinian partners, and international networks, to protect and strengthen international humanitarian law and human rights in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).