Amnesty International says 48 people killed in Syria in the last four days

Amnesty International says 48 people killed in Syria in the last four days

2011-05-10 03:15:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- At least 48 people have been killed by Syrian security forces in the last four days, local and international human rights activists told Amnesty International.

The London-based rights group reported on Monday that it has compiled the names of 28 people who were apparently shot dead by security forces on Friday and those of 12 others killed over the last three days. The organization now has the names of 580 protesters and others killed since mid-March, when anti-government protests began.

"Killings of protesters are spiralling out of control in Syria – President Bashar al-Assad must order his security forces to stop the carnage immediately," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Amnesty International added that more than 350 people, including 48 women and a 10-year-old child, were allegedly arrested in the Banias area over the past three days.

"The Syrian authorities must release those protesters being held across the country for peacefully calling for reform," said Philip Luther. "Many are held without charge, have not had access to lawyers or family members and their wellbeing is in danger."

According to Amnesty, Syrian security forces have placed Banias and other cities under siege. Tanks have entered Syria's third-largest city, Homs, the Mu'dhamiyeh suburb of Damascus, and Banias, where water, electricity and telecommunications have been cut off.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government continues to attribute killings to "terrorist armed gangs" conspiring against it. Amnesty International has not been allowed access to the country and cannot verify the conflicting reports.

Protesters have been demanding the ouster of President al-Assad, who took over the post from his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, and calling for greater freedoms. The country has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963.

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