MOST SYRIANS KILLED IN UNLAWFUL CONVENTIONAL ATTACKS, UN HUMAN RIGHTS PANEL SAYS

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 16 Sep 2013 13:00:00 -0400
Subject: MOST SYRIANS KILLED IN UNLAWFUL CONVENTIONAL ATTACKS, UN
HUMAN RIGHTS PANEL SAYS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

MOST SYRIANS KILLED IN UNLAWFUL CONVENTIONAL ATTACKS, UN HUMAN RIGHTS
PANEL SAYSNew York, Sep 16 2013 1:00PMThe vast majority of Syrians
are killed in unlawful attacks using conventional weapons such as guns
and mortars, with children making up a large proportion of the
casualties, the United Nations-appointed human rights probe today
reported, calling for a halt to weapons being supplied to Government
and the rebels.

"Arms transfers should not occur where there is a real risk that they
will be used in the commission of crimes against humanity, violations
of international humanitarian law, or war crimes. In Syria, this is a
tragic reality," Paulo Pinheiro, the chairman of the International
Commission of Inquiry on Syria
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13731&LangID=E">said
as he introduced the report to the Human Rights Council.

He noted that failure to bring about a settlement to the conflict has
led it to deepen in its intransigence and also to widen "expanding to
new actors and to unimaginable crimes".

As the fighting rages on, civilians continue to bear the brunt. In
that context he noted civilians continue to face daily indiscriminate
shelling and bombardment by Government forces, and that extremist
anti-Government farmed groups have targeted civilians in attacks
across the northern governorates.

The UN report on possible use of chemical weapons has not yet been
made public, Mr. Pinheiro noted, but the latest diplomatic efforts in
Geneva involving Russia and the United States aimed at removing the
arsenal "may – may – form the bedrock of a broader negotiation leading
to a political settlement of the conflict."

Mr. Pinheiro, whose leads the Commission comprising of Karen AbuZayd,
Carla del Ponte and Vitit Muntarbhorn, said the vast majority of the
conflict's casualties result from unlawful attacks using conventional
weapons such as guns and mortars.

"The Government has continued its relentless campaign of air
bombardment and artillery shelling across the country," he said.

Since 15 July, the Commission documented unlawful attacks in 12 of the
14 governorates, with particularly intense shelling in the cities and
surrounding areas of Damascus, Homs and Aleppo.

Cluster munitions continue to be dropped on civilian areas, notably in
Idlib governorate, Mr. Pinheiro said highlighting some of the findings
since the latest report produced by the Commission.

Those include an attack on a school in Awram al-Koubra, Aleppo
countryside where the Syrian Government dropped an incendiary bomb on
26 August, according to accounts from survivors of the attack.

Eight students died in the blaze the followed with 50 others suffering
fatal burns over up to 80 per cent of their bodies.

"There is no evidence of any opposition fighters or lawful targets
near the school," the Commission concluded.

Government forces have continued to launch attacks on medical
personnel and hospitals, according to a separate paper, "Assault of
Medical Care in Syria".

"The discriminatory denial of the right to health as a weapon of war
has been a chilling feature of this conflict," the Commission
reported, adding that the sanctity of medical care is disrespected and
the sick and wounded are targeted.

Attacks on hospitals have occurred as recently as 12 September, when
Government planes attacked a field hospital near Aleppo city,
reportedly killing 11 people, and wounding dozens more.

Anti-Government armed groups also launched attacks on medical
personnel and hospitals, the Commission established. On 16 August,
fighters affiliated to Jabhat Al Nusra and Islamic State of Iraq and
Al-Sham attacked a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance in Aleppo
governorate killing the driver, a patient and a paramedic.

Syria has become an increasingly dangerous place for journalists to
work, Mr. Pinheiro said, noting a "disturbing pattern of harassment,
arrest and detention" of journalists, especially foreigners.

In the last six weeks, reports have been received of journalists
kidnapped by extremist anti-Government armed groups.

The head of the Commission also noted an "upsurge in crimes and
abuses" across northern Syria committed by extremist anti-Government
armed groups along with an influx of foreign fighters, in particular
Al Muhajireen.

Hundreds of Kurdish civilians in northern Aleppo, Al Raqqah and Al
Hasakah have been taken hostage by extremist anti-Government armed
groups in connection with prisoner exchanges, according to Mr.
Pinheiro.

In his statement, he also highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian
conditions, particularly in the Syrian Kurdish areas, and the impact
of hostilities on the socio-economic rights of Syrians.

Established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, the Commission is
mandated to investigate and record all violations of international
human rights law during the Syria conflict.

The Commission is due to make public on Wednesday its latest report
based on 258 interviews and other evidence collected during the
two-month period between 15 May and 15 July 2013.Sep 16 2013 1:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/ptusss