UN experts urge reform talks in Syria and denounce repression

2011-04-15 20:52:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- Human rights experts from the United Nations (UN) on Friday denounced the rising death toll and brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders in Syria, calling on authorities to immediately halt the repression and engage in a meaningful dialogue on reforms.

According to reports, at least 200 people have been killed since democracy protests in Syria began in mid-March, as violence has dramatically intensified, the group of UN experts noted. Demonstrations, however, have continued to take place across the country, in Deraa, Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Duma and Banias.

"Firing on peaceful crowds attending protests or funerals is by no means justified," stressed Christof Heyns, Special Rapporteur on arbitrary executions, one of 10 independent experts joining the call on the Syrian Government to end the crackdown.

"Live ammunition is being used outside the prescribed limits and in clear violation of international law. Firearms may only be used in self-defense or in the defense of others," Heyns added.

Heyns also warned that people taking up arms to retaliate against law enforcement officials "can easily escalate into widespread violence."

Meanwhile, Juan Méndez, the Special Rapporteur on Torture, urged the Government to respect the physical and mental integrity of protesters, ensure justice and accountability for victims, and bring those responsible for violations to justice, while El Hadji Malick Sow of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for the immediate release of all peaceful demonstrators who have been arbitrarily detained, as reports say hundreds of protesters have been arrested.

The experts, who all report to the UN Human Rights Council, noted that the crackdown is continuing despite the Government's promises of reforms and consultations to end the 48-year-old emergency rule.

The group of experts underlined that there were many underlying grievances that led to recent protests, including deep-seated corruption, injustice and discrimination, the lack of consultation, participation, and accountability.

Stressing that political reforms, accompanied by economic and social reforms, are "urgent and critical," the group also urged authorities to engage in a meaningful, inclusive and transparent dialogue to implement reforms.

The protests in Syria are part of a broader pro-democracy movement across North Africa and the Middle East that began at the start of this year and has led to the downfall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-15

48 Year emergency rule.

I note that Iran has been strangely quiet on this one.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174634.html

According to Syrian security officials, foreign organizations provided the group with financial as well as military assistance to incite unrest in the country.

The head of the armed terrorist group, Anas al-Kanj, has confessed to receiving instructions "to incite people to protest, particularly outside the Ommayad Mosque in the capital, Damascus, and in the towns of Daraa, Latakieh and Banias."

He also confessed that he was ordered to use live ammunition and open fire on "protesters in order to sow disarray and lead people to believe that the security forces were shooting on the demonstrators."

According to al-Kanj, there were some other "cells" carrying out similar acts in the country.

They did however manage to put the unrest down to external conspiritors, just as they did their own internal unrest. Simply put Iran doesn't want it's principle arms smuggling route put in jeopardy.