Individuals at Risk

Georgia shelled South Ossetia, Russia shelled Georgia, and we plunged into a war whose victims largely number non-military personnel.  Georgian territory is smoldering.  Amnesty International is gravely concerned that this war has had a disproportionate impact on civilians and civilian objects.

As reports emerged of heavy civilian casualties, Amnesty issued an Urgent Action on behalf of all those living in the disputed region of South Ossetia and in Georgia.  In an official press release, Amnesty expressed concern that some of the attacks mounted in South Ossetia could amount to war crimes.  At the same time, President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia recently declared that 90 percent of his country's casualties were civilian deaths. 

International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate military attacks that do not shield civilians from military operations.  As village after village erupts in flames, it has become merely a question of the degree to which international humanitarian law has been ignored.

The United Nations Refugee Agency reports that this conflict has already resulted in close to 100,000 refugees.  Aid agencies are struggling to access civilians in need of assistance, as most of the violence has been concentrated in residential areas.  At this point in time, it is critically important that humanitarian relief reach those caught in the crossfire of these warring nations.

Marissa Brodney - Urgent Action Network