HRW says Syrian opposition committing abuses; U.N. calls situation ‘unacceptable’
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Human Rights Watch has accused fighters of the Syrian opposition of committing abuses against security forces and government supporters. (Reuters)
The New York-based watchdog said that while the one-year revolt in Syria had started as a largely peaceful uprising, it had transformed into an armed insurgency, especially since early February, when the government launched large-scale attacks against opposition strongholds throughout the country.
It said that many anti-government groups reportedly carrying out abuses did not appear to belong to an organized command structure or to be following orders by the Syrian National Council (SNC), the main opposition group.
“It is imperative for armed elements of the Syrian opposition to protect human rights,” Whitson said, according to AFP. “They need to make it clear that they envision a Syria that turns the page on Assad-era violations and welcomes all, regardless of their religious group or background, without discrimination.”
The rights group said it had documented cases of kidnappings, torture and executions by opposition groups, often with a sectarian motive.
“Some of the statements collected suggest that certain armed attacks by opposition groups were motivated by anti-Shiite or anti-Alawite sentiments arising from the association of these communities with government policies,” HRW said.
Syria’s population of 23 million is predominantly Sunni Muslim, while the ruling Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, form the minority.
The regime of President Bashar al-Assad claims that foreign-backed terrorists are behind the revolt that began last March.
It has ignored a chorus of international condemnation against the brutal government crackdown to crush the uprising, in which rights activists say more than 9,100 people have been killed.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that the situation in Syria was unacceptable and called for the international community to speak with one voice and for Security Council members to display unity.
The United Nations priorities were stopping the violence and starting political dialogue, Ban told an audience in Bogor, Indonesia, during a visit to Southeast Asia.
“The situation has reached an unacceptable or intolerable situation,” Ban said, according to Reuters.
“I have seen hope that international community will continually speak in one voice and particularly the Security Council I hope will be able to be united so they can speak in one voice,” Ban said.
It said that many anti-government groups reportedly carrying out abuses did not appear to belong to an organized command structure or to be following orders by the Syrian National Council (SNC), the main opposition group.
“It is imperative for armed elements of the Syrian opposition to protect human rights,” Whitson said, according to AFP. “They need to make it clear that they envision a Syria that turns the page on Assad-era violations and welcomes all, regardless of their religious group or background, without discrimination.”
The rights group said it had documented cases of kidnappings, torture and executions by opposition groups, often with a sectarian motive.
“Some of the statements collected suggest that certain armed attacks by opposition groups were motivated by anti-Shiite or anti-Alawite sentiments arising from the association of these communities with government policies,” HRW said.
Syria’s population of 23 million is predominantly Sunni Muslim, while the ruling Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, form the minority.
The regime of President Bashar al-Assad claims that foreign-backed terrorists are behind the revolt that began last March.
It has ignored a chorus of international condemnation against the brutal government crackdown to crush the uprising, in which rights activists say more than 9,100 people have been killed.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that the situation in Syria was unacceptable and called for the international community to speak with one voice and for Security Council members to display unity.
The United Nations priorities were stopping the violence and starting political dialogue, Ban told an audience in Bogor, Indonesia, during a visit to Southeast Asia.
“The situation has reached an unacceptable or intolerable situation,” Ban said, according to Reuters.
“I have seen hope that international community will continually speak in one voice and particularly the Security Council I hope will be able to be united so they can speak in one voice,” Ban said.
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