[Peace-discuss] Please sign call to UN General Assembly for immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

[Robert Naiman]

Dear Supporter of Peace and Diplomacy,

The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a "widening of the ground
offensive" and announced that Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon would
resume "in full force" after the expiration of the partial suspension
that followed the massacre in Qana.

As you know, under international law the UN Security Council is
supposed to act to stop crimes against peace, but cannot do so in this
case because it is paralyzed by the veto of the Bush Administration,
which opposes an immediate cease-fire and is backed in this position
by the United Kingdom. However, under Resolution 377, "Uniting for
Peace," the UN General Assembly can act when the Security Council
fails to do so (see "A Road to Peace in Lebanon?" Jeremy Brecher and
Brendan Smith, July 27, 2006,
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0727-27.htm.) This procedure has
been used 10 times in the history of the UN, often at the initiative
of the United States.

Please join us, therefore, in circulating the following petition,
calling for the UN General Assembly to act. Even a significant
movement towards the convening of the General Assembly to consider an
immediate, unconditional cease-fire will put significant pressure on
the major powers to support an immediate cease-fire.

To:  United Nations General Assembly
Cc: Non-Aligned Movement
      Organization of the Islamic Conference
      Arab League
      Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

Petition for an Emergency United Nations Resolution on Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza
To Bring About an Immediate Unconditional Cease-Fire in Lebanon,
Israel, and Gaza

We, the undersigned,

Deploring the current bombing and invasion of Lebanon by foreign
forces as an act of aggression in violation of the United Nations
Charter and international law;

Concerned by the Security Council's failure to condemn the current
bombing and invasion of Lebanon and to call for an immediate
unconditional cease-fire to end the bombing of Lebanon, the rocket
attacks on Israeli cities and towns, and the military attacks on
civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza;

Further concerned by actions of the United States and the United
Kingdom to obstruct efforts to bring about an immediate cease-fire in
Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza;

Troubled by the humanitarian crisis, violations of human rights, and
destruction and recognizing the urgent need for international
assistance to the Lebanese people and the Palestinian people in Gaza;

Since the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the
permanent members, has failed to to halt the threat to peace, we call
upon all Member States of the United Nations to immediately convene an
Emergency Meeting of the General Assembly, under the provisions of
General Assembly Resolution 377 (V), Uniting for Peace, to act to
bring about an immediate unconditional cease-fire, and to enforce the
obligations of states and armed groups to comply with international
law; and furthermore,

To mandate immediate cooperation of all nations in the cessation of
armed attacks by all parties; the immediate withdrawal of the
occupying forces; the coordination, by the United Nations, of the
response to the humanitarian disaster in Lebanon and Gaza, with
particular attention to provision of medical care, food and
restoration of water and electricity supplies; and furthermore,

To enforce the obligations of the invading forces under the provisions
of the Hague Regulations, Geneva Conventions and other applicable
international agreements; to prevent the further destruction of
Lebanon and Gaza's infrastructure; to provide for full reparation to
the Lebanese people and Palestinian people in Gaza for damages caused
and precipitated by the unlawful use of military force; and to ensure
the removal of cluster bombs and un-detonated munitions.

To sign this petition as an individual, go to
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/justforeignpolicy.org/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=325

To sign this petition as an organization, go to
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/justforeignpolicy.org/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=326


--
Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy
www.justforeignpolicy.org