International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Press release

Crimes against humanity in Syria : the urgent debate
in the UN Human Rights Council should be echoed by further action at the
Security Council

http://www.fidh.org/Crimes-against-humanity-in-Syria

On the eve of August 22, 2011, a date set by the United
Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) for a  Special Session on the
situation of human rights in Syria, the International Federation for Human
Rights (FIDH) and DCHRS call upon the Member States of the HRC to adopt an
unequivocal resolution and take all appropriate measures to urge the Syrian
authorities to put an immediate end to the gross human rights violations
underway in the country. Additionally the UN Human Rights Council should 
further its efforts to press the Syrian authorities to fully cooperate without
any further delay with independent UN bodies. This includes, but is not limited
to a UN commission of inquiry in order to enable an investigation on all
alleged violations of international human rights law and to identify those
allegedly responsible.

Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad has assured UN Secretary General, Ban Ki
Moon, that military and security operations against protesters ceased a couple
days ago. Despite this, extensive and relentless repression continues to take
place. The « widespread and systematic » nature of the attacks
perpetrated by the Syrian authorities against the civilian population since the
beginning of the uprising has amounted to crimes against humanity. This has
been confirmed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the basis of the
findings of her Office’s report released on August 18.

FIDH and DCHRS support the HRC proposal to establish a Commission of Inquiry in
order to further investigate all alleged violations committed against Syrian
civilians and call upon the Syrian government to fully cooperate with the
Commission and to immediately take all necessary steps to guarantee their full
and immediate access to Syria.

However, recalling the Syrian persistent failure to cooperate with the UN
bodies and the gravity,  the scale, and the international character of the
alleged crimes committed by the Syrian Government. Lastly, as important as a
strong stance of the HRC is, it cannot be the only concrete answer to the
systematic perpetration of violations. Therefore, FIDH and DCHRS reiterate its
call to the UN Security Council Member States to take urgent and appropriate
actions including to consider referring the situation in Syria to the
International Criminal Court, (as recommended by UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights).

Press contact:
Arthur Manet: +33 6 72 28 42 94 / +33 1 43 55 90 19

Twitter: @fidh_ngo