New Zealand: The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) has strongly condemned the killing of innocent men, women and children and the destruction of infrastructures that provide basic needs for civilians in Lebanon.

The recent conflict between Lebanon and Israel has brought to light the fact that respect for life and basic human rights has not accompanied the amassing and usage of weapons of mass destruction. The large scale killing of civilians in this conflict is a disgrace for a world that prides itself in respecting life and rights for every individual. What is more disappointing is the fact that personal and national political agendas have been placed before the prevention of the killing of innocent children, women and men, ISCHRO said in a statement.

The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) while condemning the killings said that killing of innocent people wherever they may be is a tragedy. Furthermore, ISCHRO does not accept the idea that the killings of civilians should continue until a political solution is achieved.

Through its bombing campaign, Israel shifted the largely military conflict between Hezbollah and Israel to one that includes the killing of civilians. ISCHRO regards the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon as a crime against humanity and calls on all countries to concern themselves with protecting the lives of innocent civilians before any other agenda.

The careless Israeli bombardment of Lebanon has demonstrated the need for any international resolution to this conflict to also include restrictions on Israeli military activities within Middle East. Israel can not call on other countries and groups to disarm and dismantle their military infrastructure while it continues to act irresponsibly with its own military operations.

The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization called for an immediate cessation of military hostilities and urged the leaders of countries to put pressure on Israel in a practical manner that would ensure the end to its bombing campaigns. Once the military campaign has been discontinued, the international community should make sure that the people affected by the bombardment are compensated fully and all housing and infrastructure that were used for civilian purposes are rebuilt.