Syrian gov't confirms more than 3,800 killed during uprising

[News_Editor]

Syrian gov't confirms more than 3,800 killed during uprising

2012-02-29 00:57:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

GENEVA, Switzerland (BNO NEWS) -- More than 3,800 people have died as a result of violence during the ongoing uprising in Syria, according to figures the Syrian government has provided to the United Nations. Opposition activists claim the actual number has surpassed already 8,000.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay briefed the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, voicing her concern about the 'rapidly deteriorating' human rights and humanitarian situation in Syria. "Recent reports further indicate that Syrian military and security forces have launched massive campaigns of arrest, arbitrarily detaining thousands of protesters, as well as activists and others suspected of anti-Government activities," she said.

According to Pillay, the Syrian government has provided the UN with figures which show 2,493 civilians and 1,345 soldiers and police officers have been killed between March 15, 2011, and January 18, 2012. "According to information available to my Office, the actual numbers may far exceed these figures," she said.

The United Nations is no longer gathering information to estimate the total number of fatalities as a result of violence in Syria, but the UN's last estimate in January showed at least 5,400 people have been killed during the uprising. Syrian human rights and opposition activists say that figure has since surpassed 8,000 and includes hundreds of children.

Opposition activists claim the vast majority of victims are civilians and pro-democracy protesters, but the Syrian government claims those have been caused by armed terrorist groups who are dressed as soldiers. Pillay said the Syrian government has provided the UN with reports about alleged terrorist attacks on the health and transportation sectors as well as educational institutions.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during Tuesday's briefing, called on the Syrian government to cooperate with the international community and to allow independent international monitors to visit all places of detention and grant unhindered access to humanitarian actors. She also called on the government to release all political prisoners and persons who have been arbitrarily detained.

"The Government must launch prompt, independent and impartial investigations in accordance with international standards to end impunity, ensure accountability, bring perpetrators to justice, and to take measures to ensure adequate, effective and prompt reparation for the victims," Pillay said. She recognized that the Syrian government has cooperated to some extent, such as providing access to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Arab States observer mission.

"However, these steps pale into insignificance in the face of the continuing onslaught of violence and arrest against people by State actors," she said. "In light of this and in the face of the unspeakable violations that take place every moment, I remain convinced that referring the situation of Syria to the International Criminal Court will be a step in the right direction."

She added: "What is urgently needed today is for the killings to stop. For that to happen the international community must unite in sending a clear message to the Syrian authorities and the Security Council must assume its responsibility to protect the population of Syria. More than at any other time, those committing atrocities in Syria have to understand that the international community will not stand by and watch this carnage and that their decisions and the actions they take today ultimately will not go unpunished."

Syria has been part of the wider Arab Spring movement which began in early 2011 and has been riddled by violence ever since. Pro-democracy demonstrations have spread across the country since mid-March, resulting in a fierce government crackdown. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad previously admitted that mistakes were made, but claimed protesters were no longer being targeted.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-29