UN advisers denounce 'apparently deliberate' attacks on Syrian civilians

[News_Editor]

UN advisers denounce 'apparently deliberate' attacks on Syrian civilians

2011-06-03 01:28:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- Two high-ranking United Nations officials on Thursday called for an investigation into possible violations of international human rights law in Syria.

Francis Deng, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, and Edward Luck, the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, said in a joint statement that they were "gravely concerned at the increasing loss of life in Syria as a result of the continued violent suppression of anti-Government protests."

"We are particularly alarmed at the apparently systematic and deliberate attacks by police, military, and other security forces against unarmed civilians taking part in the last two months of protests. These attacks have reportedly resulted in many hundreds of deaths," the statement said.

"The deployment of armed forces and the use of live fire, tanks and artillery in response to peaceful protests, and the targeting of residential areas where protests have taken place, are unacceptable under any circumstances."

In mid-March, pro-democracy demonstrations began in Syria and have continued across the country, which has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963. Protesters are demanding the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who took over his father in 2000.

At least 830 people have been killed in the protests, according to the Syrian Human Rights Information Link. The number, however, does not include security personnel, many of whom have been killed in attacks by "armed groups," according to the Syrian government.

It is also estimated that about 10,000 protesters have been arrested in violent crackdowns by Syrian security forces.

"This underscores the need for an independent, thorough, and objective investigation into all alleged violations of international human rights law," Mr. Deng and Mr. Luck said.

They also called for an investigation into the reported killing of members of the government security forces.

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