AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: MDE 14/035/2009

26 October 2009

Iraq: at least 155 people killed by suicide bombs in Baghdad

Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of at least 155 people in central Baghdad yesterday morning.

Two suicide bomb attacks were carried out within minutes of each other. A truck bomb exploded near the ministries of justice and municipalities just before 10.30am local time. Minutes later a car bomb exploded just outside the Baghdad Governorate building.

At least 155 people, mostly civilians, are reported to have been killed and at least 700 people wounded, making this the deadliest attack in over two years.

The two ministries and the governorate have reportedly been badly damaged. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombs. The latest attack is similar to the blast that killed 147 people, injured almost 500 and damaged finance and foreign affairs ministries on 19 August 2009.

Yesterday’s bomb attacks targeted civilians directly and therefore constitute war crimes. If the attacks are part of a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population in Iraq in furtherance of a particular organization or armed group's policy, they also constitute crimes against humanity.

War crimes and crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes under international law. These attacks must be stopped immediately and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Since US troops pulled out from cities and towns on 30 June 2009, hundreds of civilians have been killed by armed groups and many more injured.

Public Document

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