UN's Ban, Obama 'strongly condemn' Syrian gov't crackdown

[News_Editor]

UN's Ban, Obama 'strongly condemn' Syrian gov't crackdown

2011-08-01 00:16:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.S. President Barack Obama have both condemned the Syrian government's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters across the country on Sunday.

According to activists, Sunday's crackdown by the Syrian army on several cities such as Hama has left more than 130 people killed and hundreds more injured. Information is difficult to gather from Syria due to government-imposed reporting restrictions, but videos of the battles were uploaded to websites such as YouTube.

"I am appalled by the Syrian government's use of violence and brutality against its own people. The reports out of Hama are horrifying and demonstrate the true character of the Syrian regime," Obama said in a statement released by the White House. "Once again, President Assad has shown that he is completely incapable and unwilling to respond to the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people. His use of torture, corruption and terror puts him on the wrong side of history and his people."

Obama said that Assad is 'ensuring that he and his regime will be left in the past' and that the Syrian protesters will determine the country's future. "Syria will be a better place when a democratic transition goes forward. In the days ahead, the United States will continue to increase our pressure on the Syrian regime, and work with others around the world to isolate the Assad government and stand with the Syrian people," the U.S. president added.

Meanwhile, UN's Ban said he is 'deeply concerned' over reports about mass killings in Syria on Sunday. "[ban] strongly condemns the use of force against the civilian population and calls on the Government of Syria to halt this violent offensive at once," Martin Nesirky, Ban's spokesman, said.

Ban, as communicated by Nesirky, reiterated to the Syrian authorities their obligation to respect the human rights of the Syrian people, including their freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly, and urged them to listen to the "legitimate aspirations" of the population.

"The Secretary General reminds the Syrian authorities that they are accountable under international human rights law for all acts of violence perpetrated by them against the civilian population," Nesirky added.

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said the news from Syria is of 'my utmost concern.' "I condemn the military invasion of Hama and of other cities in the strongest possible terms," Buzek said. "The use of heavy weaponry and the indifferent killing of innocent civilians cannot be justified under any circumstances."

Buzek added: "The Syrian regime and the military hierarchy must finally understand the signs of the times. They will be held accountable for their deeds. The international community cannot tolerate another Hama like in 1982. The massacre must stop now and the regime has to start the transition of power."

Buzek said he hopes that this year's Ramadan will be a month of 'peaceful change' for Syria and the region as a whole. "My thoughts are with the Syrian people and particularly with those who are mourning the killing of a loved one. Your suffering will not be in vain," the European Parliament leader said.

Human rights groups have said that more than 1,500 people have died since the government crackdown on protesters began in mid-March and tens of thousands have been arrested. Global campaign group Avaaz said this week that almost 3,000 people have been forcibly disappeared.

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.

Assad previously said that the recent events in the country are a conspiracy against national unity. The Syrian government 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.

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