UN paints grim picture of situation in Iraq

United Nations has alleged that military operations in Iraq by the multinational forces, including aerial bombings, negatively affected human rights.

'Ongoing military and security operations by multinational forces and the Iraqi troops aimed at restoring law and order, including resort to aerial bombing have a devastating effect on civilians,' the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq warned in a five-page report.

It said the 'price paid by civilians during military activity calls for further reflection on the nature and conduct of the conflict and on the proportionality of the use of force'.

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Ongoing military operations continue to send people fleeing and cause hardship for thousands of families, with a 'devastating' impact on civilians, the report said.

It cited recent operations in Al Anbar and Nineveh regions, saying more than 10,000 families were displaced.

The UN said victims of rights abuses should have recourse to 'timely justice'.

'Iraq would benefit from enhanced accountability systems and increased efforts to combat impunity for crimes committed by all side of the conflict,' the report said.

It said that repeated bombing campaigns by armed groups against civilians and mosques, were increasing fears of community relations descending into a pattern of fear, animosity and revenge.

It said five journalists and media workers were killed, bringing the total since the United States-led invasion of Iraq began to 74.

The UN also expressed concern on the large number of detainees held in the country.

It said security operations by the Iraqi police and special forces continued to disregard instructions announced in August 2005 by the Ministry of the Interior to safeguard individual guarantees during search and detention operations.

However, the report said the government was doing positive work to redress the situation.

The Ministry of Planning created a working group on the rule of law on October 18. Chaired by the chief justice, it will coordinate efforts by all stakeholders, including the UN and civil society to 'ensure that technical assistance programmes are translated into an improved rule of law situation in the country,' it said.

The report added that the UN mission had been active in opposing the death penalty in the country and had objected to the continued extension of the state of emergency across Iraq.