Iron Fist Hurting Civilians - Onega
Email This Page Print This Page The Monitor (Kampala) December 15, 2002 Posted to the web December 16, 2002 Kefa Atibuni Kampala Operation Iron Fist has done more harm than good to civilians, the chairman of Amnesty Commission said Friday. "The reality is that the military option is not helping?. When the rebels have been hit hard militarily, they turn their anger on civilians, committing all sorts of atrocities," Justice P.K.K. Onega told a workshop of Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRFII) rebels at Arua Catholic Centre. He said LRA rebels of Joseph Kony have caused more atrocities on the civilian population than before the inception of "Operation Iron Fist." Onega said the military approach couldn't solve the problems of rebellion in the country. "When an opponent is militarily suppressed and eventually crushed, he remains bitter waiting for the nearest opportunity to rise up again," he said. He said a peaceful settlement brings reconciliation. "The Amnesty Commission is determined to fulfil its function of promoting dialogue and reconciliation," he said. Asked by the rebels why the Amnesty Law only covers the period from 1986 to date, Onega said: "Unfortunately I haven't got the rationale, but we made a recommendation to the government that amnesty should go as far back as 1962." He said it is unfortunate that some people seem to benefit from the war in the north. "It is unfortunate, but it is true, that there are some people who benefit from war situation. Those who supply foodstuff, hardware and other logistics to the fighting factions would not want the war to end because they benefit from it," he said. The workshop, facilitated by Amnesty Commission, will lead to peace talks between government and UNRFII rebels beginning tomorrow.