AOHR Condemns Killing of Protestors in Syria and Asserts the Responsibility of the Government to Protect its People

Cairo: 10 April 2011     The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) expresses its grave concern by the ongoing crimes committed by the security forces in Syria and the killing of unarmed protestors in various governorates in Syria.
According to human rights organizations in Syria, the day before yesterday, at least three protestors were killed.
Yesterday, at least 26 persons were killed in Der’a in a funeral for Friday’s victims.
  Human rights sources confirmed the killing and the injury of people in Der’a and Baniyas by Syrian security forces.
The sources also confirmed excessive use of live ammunition against unarmed protestors which violate the rules related to the use of arms during in civil disturbances.
  The persistence of the Syrian government in involving an unknown ‘third party’ opening fire on the security forces has exacerbated the concerns of the AOHR.
Syrian State TV published live footage showing acts of shooting by persons who were described as 'unknown'; however, the identity of this ‘third party’ has not yet been disclosed.
The AOHR asserts that security forces in Syria are responsible for disclosing the truth about these incidents.
It also asserts that the involvement of a ‘third party’ in the repression of peaceful demonstrations is unjustifiable and violates the rules of exercising power and using live ammunition.
  The AOHR reiterates its condemnation of the killing of unarmed protestors in Syria.
It asserts the importance of initiating an independent and impartial judicial investigation into these crimes.
The investigation must ensure that those who are responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.
The AOHR asserts that the failure of the Syrian government to initiate this investigation will lead to the initiation of an international investigation in order to disclose those who are responsible for these crimes and to bring them to justice.
  The AOHR reminds the Syrian government of its international obligations in relation to human rights.
AOHR calls on the Syrian government to promptly respond to the national legal demands and to achieve reformation.
The AOHR asserts the urgent need, according to the Syrian constitution, to ending the status of emergency which has been imposed on the country for more than 50 years requires only a presidential decree.
  * * * For more information please contact: Alaa Shalaby Executive Director – Member, Board of Trustees Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) 91 Merghani St.
, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341 Egypt Tel +202 24181396 Fax +202 24185346 Mobile +2 010 6488987 Ala.
shalaby@hotmail.
com – Aladinchalabi@yahoo.
com www.
aohr.
net