Mideast talks must tackle human rights:AI

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LONDON, Nov 24(AFP): The Annapolis talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must match peace pledges with 'clear and concrete steps' to end 'grave' rights abuses such as killings, Amnesty International (AI) said Saturday.
Measurable benchmarks should be laid down with a clearly-defined implementation mechanism to ensure both sides respect fundamental civil liberties, said the London- based human rights group.
US President George W Bush has invited leaders and diplomats from Israel, the Palestinian Authority and some 40 other countries to Annapolis in Maryland in an attempt to re-start the Middle East peace process.
The discussions, with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas at the centre, kick off Tuesday.
If the talks are to make progress towards a 'just and durable' solution, "peace pledges must be accompanied by clear and concrete steps to halt and redress the grave human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law that continue to destroy lives on both sides," Amnesty said.