UN urges probe into Syria's alleged human rights abuses

[News_Editor]

UN urges probe into Syria's alleged human rights abuses

2011-06-16 05:58:52 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations human rights office on Wednesday called for a thorough probe into the allegations of abuses by Syrian authorities during the ongoing pro-reform protests.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Wednesday released a report on the violent crackdown against protesters, which allegedly includes the use of live ammunition against unarmed civilians and the deployment of snipers and tanks in densely populated areas.

The report is based on information received from UN partners, human rights defenders, civil society groups, media groups and a small number of victims and eyewitnesses from Syria. OHCHR itself has been unable to deploy staff on the ground.

"The material currently before the High Commissioner (Navi Pillay) is a matter of grave concern and reflects a dire human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic," the report said in its conclusion. "The alleged breaches of the most fundamental rights on such a broad scale require thorough investigation and, with respect to the perpetrators, full accountability."

Pillay renewed her call on the Syrian government to grant access to the country for a fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council. "The High Commissioner is hopeful that she will be able to provide a more extensive assessment of the human rights situation in Syria in her follow-up report to the 18th session of the Human Rights Council."

Meanwhile, seven bodies were located in a mass grave in the troubled Jisr al-Shughour, near the Syrian-Turkish border, according to state-run media. The report said the bodies were those of police and security members who all had been dismembered and mutilated.

Forensic analysis determined that the victims were killed about 10 to 12 days ago. According to authorities, armed men brutally killed them and disposed the bodies in the al-Abyad River but later buried them in the landfill.

On the other hand, Syrian authorities claimed that around 5,000 Jisr al-Shughour residents returned to their homes, one day after the government claimed to have restored peace and order in the region.

In contrast, the number of Syrian internally displaced persons who reached Turkish soil has reached over 8,500. Turkey issued temporary ID cards for the refugees, most of whom are being sheltered at a refugee camp in the border town of Yayladagi in Hatay province.

The town of Jisr al-Shughour has been the scene of violent fighting between security forces and anti-government protesters, some of them whom were armed. Amnesty International said that at least 120 people were killed since last week in what was labeled as "one of the bloodiest weekends in months of pro-reform demonstrations."

Syria has repeatedly claimed that the violent acts have been instigated by terrorists who use military uniforms and weaponry to pose as soldiers while attacking citizens. However, Syrian asylum seekers claimed that the security forces have perpetrated violent attacks on civilians and protesters.

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 from his father in 2000.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-16

[Steely Dan]

Sounds like a job for the UNHRC, except that until recent events Syria was lined up to become a new member of said organisation. This is more than a little embarassing and shows how even the upholding of universal human rights by the UN has been hijacked by a block vote of Islamic nations with the most repugnant records on earth.

[Ulysses G.]

This is more than a little embarassing and shows how even the upholding of universal human rights by the UN has been hijacked by a block vote of Islamic nations with the most repugnant records on earth.

TRULY ABSURD, isn't it.

[kuffki]

I am not really sure or understand why a "probe" is needed and why UN is still "urging"

Has the regime killed thousands-YES

Has the regime used tanks to kill civilians and target them-YES

Has the regime misplaced thousands and numbers are growing-YES

Are the refugee camps not enough evidence? need to still probe?

Why has not UN condemned Syrian regime yet? and passed any resolutions?

Perhaps they can send honorable Judge Goldstone to probe, considering his extensive experience and knowledge in the region

[kuffki]

More than 8,500 Syrians have sought shelter across the border to escape President Bashar al-Assad's latest military drive to crush protests demanding political change.

Syrian troops using tanks and helicopters pushed towards a northern town today after arresting hundreds of people in villages

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0614/breaking3.html

[Steely Dan]

Assad has just severed all communications with Washington and is in effect saying do your worst, so he is clearly gambling that nobody will dare intervene. I do hope he is wrong.

P.S There is a war coming with Israel I am now 100% certain, did you hear that Israel have discovered massive oil shale reserves matching Saudi Arabia's. With Egypt and Syrian economies in ruins they will not be able to contain themselves.

[Scott]

We will ignore the PS in your post. This topic is about the situation in Syria.

As is often the case in the World News, there will be other threads that come along where your information may be more relevant.

[geriatrickid]

It takes time to build a consensus in respect to these investigations. To be blunt, the world has its hands full with Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Central Africa etc. There is just so much that can be done at one time.

[Wallaby]

What's the US waiting for, just invade. Is there much oil to be had?

[Steely Dan]

What's the US waiting for, just invade. Is there much oil to be had?

Of course unless the U.S tried to stop a genocide in a patch of dessert with no natural resources or wealth whatsoever there will be some bending over backwards to accuse it of some alterior motive. Meanwhile in the real world the death toll tops 1000 but some are more interested in a dozen or so paid agitators being shot for illegally trespassing at the Israeli border.