“Crimes Against Humanity in Daraa,” says Human Rights Watch

Systematic killings and torture by Syrian security forces qualify as crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today. Their 57 page report, “‘We’ve Never Seen Such Horror’: Crimes against Humanity in Daraa” outlines the violations in Daraa governorate since protests began in March 2011.

The report includes more than 50 interviews with victims and witnesses from Syria who were abused after protesting for greater freedom. Specifics of the violence were previously unreported due to an information blockade imposed by the Syrian authorities. The interviews in the report describe, in detail, systematic killings, beatings, torture using electroshock devices and detention of people seeking medical care.

Protests first broke out in Daraa following the detention and torture of 15 children accused of painting graffiti slogans calling for the government’s downfall. In response, security forces have repeatedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. More than 418 people have been killed in Daraa governorate by security forces as well as a further 887 people across Syria. Human Rights Watch say the Syrian government should take immediate steps to halt the excessive use of lethal force by the security forces.

Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson, says: “For more than two months now, Syrian security forces have been killing and torturing their own people with complete impunity. They need to stop – and if they don’t, it is the Security Council’s responsibility to make sure that the people and the responsible face justice.”

Some of the worst incidents reported in the paper include an attack on al-Omari mosque, which killed more than 30 protesters, attacks during a protest and funeral procession in Izraa resulting in more than 34 deaths and killings in a blockade of Daraa which left up to 200 people dead.

One anonymous witness from Tafas spoke about the blockade; he told Human Rights Watch: “There was no warning, no firing in the air. It was simply an ambush. There was gunfire from all sides, from automatic guns. Security forces were positioned in the fields along the road, and on the roofs of the buildings. They were deliberately targeting people. Most injuries were in the head and chest.”

Syrian authorities repeatedly blamed the protesters in Daraa for initiating the violence; however, all the testimonies gathered by HRW indicate that the protests were, in most cases, peaceful.

HRW called on the Syrian government to stop the excessive and lethal actions by security forces, release all arbitrarily arrested detainees and provide human rights groups and journalists with immediate and unhindered access to Daraa.

Ms Whitson claims: “Syrian authorities did everything they could to conceal their bloody repression in Daraa. But horrendous crimes like these are impossible to hide, and sooner or later those responsible will have to answer for their actions.”

By Holly North

[Image courtesy of TheSyrianDream]