Amnesty International urged an international contact...

Amnesty International urged an international contact group on Liberia, formed by international bodies such as the UN and the EU, to condemn sweeping rights abuses by both rebels and troops loyal to President Charles Taylor. Urging that they "should condemn in the strongest possible terms the serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law being committed both by government and LURD," a statement said. The Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebel group has been fighting Taylor's regime for three years. "A resurgence of fighting in Liberia since January has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including summary executions, torture and ill-treatment and arbitrary arrest and detention and forcible conscription of children under 18 years of age."