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Source: http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/11/01/human.rights.palestinians/
Human Rights Watch: Suicide Bombings are War Crimes
(CNN) - Those who plan and carry out suicide bombings that deliberately target civilians are guilty of crimes against humanity and must be brought to justice, according to a 170-page report released Friday by Human Rights Watch, a leading New York-based humanitarian watchdog group. "The scale and systematic nature of these attacks sets them apart from other abuses committed in times of conflict. They clearly fall under the category of crimes against humanity," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. The report says the leaders of such groups as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) should face criminal investigation. The Palestinian Authority and Yasser Arafat have failed to do all they can to stop suicide attacks or bring the perpetrators to justice, thus contributing to "an atmosphere of impunity" for such crimes. "The prohibition against targeting civilians doesn't depend on the behavior of one's adversary," Roth said. "Palestinian armed groups must refrain from deliberate attacks against civilians."