The mass graves were discovered on Monday 16 May in Daraa, where the army entered last month to quash peaceful demonstrations. Furthermore, extra-judicial execution continued to rise in many regions throughout Syria, including Daraa. For example, at least 27 individuals are believed to have been killed in Talkalakh since three day. These deaths were the result of the excessive use of force by members of the Syrian security forces and the military against peaceful demonstrators who are calling for democratic change in their country. Alkarama fears that further deaths may yet take place as peaceful demonstrations continue in the country.

According to our information, more than ten thousand people have also been arrested in various parts of Syria since March 2011 because of their alleged participation or calls for peaceful demonstrations which seek an improvement in the human rights situation in Syria.

On 18 May 2011, Alkarama submitted an urgent appeal to UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial execution regarding these mass graves as well as a list of 85 deaths due to excessive force by law-enforcement officials in the context of peaceful demonstrations. Previously, on 10 May 2011, Alkarama submitted to the same Rapporteur a list of 53 other deaths (since 18 March 2011 to date 780 confirmed deaths have been reported to the UN Special Rapporteurs).

Alkarama requests that the international community take up this situation on behalf of the Syrian people and communicate to the Syrian government that their actions are in total contravention of international and domestic law. The international community should further ensure that the Syrian authorities immediately cease all further human rights violations. In addition, the Syrian government should immediately remedy the situation by releasing those who are detained; ensure those detained are not exposed to torture or ill-treatment; take appropriate sanctions against those who mistreat peaceful demonstrators; and ensure that Human Rights Council Resolution S-16/1 is respected in full.

Visit the following links:

- List of 53 demonstrators killed