• by IPS Correspondents (united nations)
• Wednesday, August 15, 2012
• Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 15 (IPS) - In conflict-ridden Syria, both government forces and  rebels have committed crimes against humanity concludes the latest report  by the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

Released Wednesday,  the report  states that violence has escalated significantly since February 15. The commission notes the deterioration of the socio-economic and humanitarian situation “leaving the majority of the population in a state of disarray.”

The report pointed out that “the violations and abuses committed by anti-Government armed groups did not reach the gravity, frequency and scale of those committed by Government forces and the Shabbiha.”

According to the Syrian government, as for July 9,  there were 7,928 people killed because of the conflict. However other entities such as Syrian non-governmental organizations and opposition groups estimate the death toll from 17,000 to 22,000 casualties. The commission was unable to confirm these numbers.

The findings infer that the Government forces have committed crimes against humanity, including murder and torture. Moreover, there have been violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law which will include:unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual violence, indiscriminate attacks, pillaging and destruction of property.

The report includes a special inquiry of the Al-Houla attacks of the May 25 concluding that the government was responsible for the civilians deaths. In that violent clash, more than 100 people died – among them  were 32 children under the age of 10.

Since then, the international community placed more attention on the situation of children. The report emphasises that both parties violate the rights of children.

Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs arrived in Syria on Tuesday  to meet with government officials.

Eduardo del Buey, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, confirmed the meetings between Amos and the Syrian Prime Minister, Wael al-Halki and Deputy Foreign Minister, Faisal Mekdad.

Amos visited a school hosting displaced people in the Zahera district of Damascus . “The people I met today told me they need clean water, sanitation, medical help and food. They are frightened. Many have no home to return to and they desperately need more help and support,” she said.

According to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the current numbers of displaced people have reached 155,000 individuals – mainly moving to Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. However these numbers do not reflect accurately the entire refugee population.

In the meantime, Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, continues to search for a new  Joint Special Envoy for Syria, since Kofi Annan resigned on August 2..

Gérard Araud, President of the Security Council, noted the difficulty to find a replacement. “Any candidate has to face the situation where first the Security Council is deeply divided,” he said. Secondly, Araud also remarked that “there is no prospect for the moment of a political transition.”

On June 15,  the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria was suspended due to the intensification of the violence. On July 20,  the Security Council extended its mandate for 30 more days, a mandate that will expire on Monday.

“I think there is a consensus among the members of the Security Council that we need to have a U.N. presence remaining in Damascus, in Syria, after the August 20,” Araud said.

© Inter Press Service (2012) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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