Thaindian News

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) — The United Nations on Friday called for an investigation into the alleged human rights abuses and crimes committed against civilians in Syria.

The UN Human Rights Council voted for sending a mission to the Middle East country to investigate the reported violations of international law after hundreds of people have been killed during weeks of unrest.

The Council also called on the Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, to protect civilians and respect fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression and assembly.

In a resolution approved by 26 of the 47 Member States, the Council requested Navy Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to dispatch a mission to Syria to investigate the alleged violations. Nine Member States voted against the resolution, seven abstained and four were absent.

The Geneva-based panel also called for the restoration of access to the Internet and other communication networks, the lifting of media censorship and to allow foreign journalists into the country.

Furthermore, Syrian authorities were urged to immediately free all political prisoners and people arbitrarily detained, during and before the anti-government demonstrations, and put an end to intimidation, persecution and arbitrary arrests.

The Council also strongly condemned the use of violence against protesters and deeply regretted the deaths of hundreds of people. The panel also stressed the need for credible and impartial investigation over the attacks on protesters.

Kyung-wha Kang, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that over 450 people have reportedly been killed and three times that number injured due to the widespread use of live fire ammunition against protesters.

Kang added that information gathered since mid-March included the arrest, detention and disappearance of demonstrators, human rights defenders, and journalists; and torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

The Deputy High Commissioner remarked that Syria is a State party to nearly all of the core international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Thus, the Middle East country must ensure the rights to life, liberty and security.

Last Friday, at least 76 and as many as 112 anti-government protesters were killed when Syrian security forces went on a shooting spree in 14 separate towns. The protests in Syria are part of a broader uprising across the Middle East and North Africa since the start of the year.