Monday, April 25, 2011

Syria: World Should Impose Sanctions on Leadership



International Inquiry Needed After Killings of Protesters

Human Rights Watch
April 24, 2011

"(New York) - The United Nations should set up an international inquiry into the fatal shootings by Syria's security forces of peaceful protesters, Human Rights Watch said today after the killing of protesters in 14 separate towns on April 22, 2011. The inquiry should also examine other human rights violations committed since anti-government protests began in mid-March.

The US and European Union should also impose sanctions on Syrian officials who bear responsibility for the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters and the arbitrary detention and torture of hundreds of protesters, as well as request an urgent briefing of the UN Security Council on the spiraling situation in the country, including shootings on April 22.

"After Friday's carnage, it is no longer enough to condemn the violence," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Faced with the Syrian authorities' ‘shoot to kill' strategy, the international community needs to impose sanctions on those ordering the shooting of protesters.".....

"President Bashar al-Asad's promises of reform mean nothing while his security forces are free to kill peaceful protesters," Stork said. "The Obama administration and the EU should push for meaningful sanctions that will persuade President Asad to end the shootings and restore human rights." "

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