Sunday, May 1, 2011

Repression in Syria rages and kills at least 60 dead

Barcelona (Editorial and agencies) .- The opposition charged that security forces killed in a new "Friday of Wrath 'in Syria dozens of demonstrators in fresh protests against the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The death toll varies by source. Advocacy groups Syrian human rights speak of 24 dead, while the opposition pack 62 deaths.

Tens of thousands of Syrians have ignored this Friday at government threats and again demonstrated for democratic reforms. In many places there were violent clashes with security forces. UN calls for cooperation of government sirioEl Human Rights Council, the UN has asked the Syrian government to cooperate fully with investigators for the country to investigate allegations of abuse.

At its meeting on Friday, the agency has condemned the crackdown on opponents of the regime of President Bashar al Assad. The Council "calls upon the Syrian Government to cooperate fully and allow access by staff of the mission of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reads the text released by the Council.

In the resolution, the UN body condemns the use of lethal force against protesters and "obstruction of access to medical treatment." It also asks the government to protect civilians and respect for fundamental freedoms such as speech and assembly. The restoration of the internet and other communication networks, the lifting of press censorship and free movement of foreign journalists are some of the requests contained in the document.

In turn, countries called for the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience and detained persons arbitrarily, and by the end of all measures of intimidation. The resolution, proposed by the United States has gone ahead with 26 votes in favor, nine against and seven abstentions. The remaining four were missing.

Before the vote, the 'number two' of the UN Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang, said some reports indicate the widespread use of live ammunition against the opposition, the arrest and disappearance of protesters, human rights activists and journalists and the torture and mistreatment of detainees.

"However, these deplorable practices have increased in the last week. According to reports, entire populations are under siege. The tanks have been deployed and bomb heavily populated areas," said the Korean. Kyung said the food distribution also suffers from obstacles, as well as power and transport networks in general.

"There is information about snipers who shoot people who try to treat the wounded or dead bodies removed from public areas," he said. Despite all the criticism, said the Council notes the stated intention of the Syrian regime to take reform measures, but demanded to take concrete steps to meet the legitimate demands of the people.

HRW urges end to the repression of NGOs manifestantesLa Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called again on Friday on Syria to end repression of peaceful demonstrations, in line hours before the condemnation expressed by the Human Rights Council UN. The resolution of the latter also directed to immediately establish an investigation into allegations of abuse.

"The overwhelming share of the Human Rights Council puts President Bashar al Assad on notice that Syria needs to stop killing and abusing protesters," said HRW's director in Geneva, headquarters of the Council, Julie de Rivero. In his opinion, "the planned research will shed light on the abuses in Syria and those responsible." The resolution, proposed by the United States has gone ahead with 26 votes in favor, nine against and seven abstentions.

Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and Angola have not been represented at the meeting.

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