Human Rights Council 18th SPECIAL SESSION
The Human Rights Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
2 December 2011
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you, Mme President,
CIVICUS is deeply concerned at the crimes against humanity being committed in Syria as we speak.
CIVICUS commends the timely report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and would like to point out that the report clearly details how Syrian security forces have since the start of the nationwide protests repeatedly and indiscriminately used firearms to kill and maim hundreds of demonstrators for the mere exercise of their right to peaceful protest. The report also details how government snipers with the intention of instilling terror targeted individuals leading the protest marches or speaking from loudspeakers. Use of such like military tactics against civilians is a flagrant violation of international law and principles of the UN Charter.
CIVICUS would also like to express its horror at the reports of enforced disappearances and systemic use of cruel methods of torture to subdue the democratic aspirations by the Syrian people. The torturers did not even spare children and the depravity of their actions is also evident in the section of the Commission of Inquiry’s report which highlights instances of sexual violence.
CIVICUS appeals that the worsening humanitarian and human rights disaster unfolding in Syria is seen purely from the prism of what it is: a case of crimes against humanity and grave violations of human rights being committed by a government that is willing to go to any lengths to preserve its hold on power. This must be unequivocally condemned by UN member states.
CIVICUS urges all members of the Council to support the immediate adoption and implementation of the recommendations made by the Independent Commission of Inquiry, including
• immediate transmission of the findings to the General Assembly and the Security Council
• referral of potential crimes under international law to the International Criminal Court and
• the establishment of a Special Rapporteur
Thank you, Mme President