20 March 2011

Syria: Six killed in Daraa protests, cases sent to UN

Alkarama condemns the excessive use of force by Syrian security forces against peaceful demonstrators. Protesters have recently taken to the streets of Daraa, in southwestern Syria on the border with Jordan, demanding reforms. Calls are for an end to government corruption and the abolition of Syria's Emergency Law, in place since 1963. Protesters are also calling for the release of detainees arrested admits peaceful demonstrations or for having encouraged protests.

On 21 March 2011, the Alkarama sent  UN Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings, five cases of people killed by security forces in Daraa on 18 March 2011. Attacks on 20 March 2011 claimed a sixth victim, a 14-year-old boy, who suffocated to death from tear gas.

The names and details of the six victims are as follows:

1. Wessam Ayash, died from gun wounds on 18 March

2. Ayham Al-Hariri, died from gun wounds on 18 March

3. Abu Aoun, died from gun wounds on 18 March

4. Mahmoud Ajawaber, died from gun wounds on 18 March

5. Raed Al Kerd, died from gun wounds on 18 March

6. Moemen Monzer Al Masalma, 14, died on 20 March after suffocating from tear gas

Peaceful demonstrations have increased across the town of Daraa, after children were arrested for writing anti-government slogans on street walls.

Many protesters have also been wounded across Syria, as the security forces continue to bolster their campaign of repression and random arrests.

Alkarama condemns the violent actions taken by the Syrian authorities against peaceful protestors and continues to call upon the Syrian regime to respect peaceful protests. In the coming days and weeks, the relevant United Nations human rights bodies should take the necessary steps to prevent further violence by the Syrian authorities against peaceful demonstrators.

Mauritania - HR Instruments

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

ICCPR: Accessed on 17.11.2004
Optional Protocol: No

State report: Due on 01.11.2017 (2nd)
Last concluding observations: 20.11.2013

Convention against Torture (CAT)

CAT: Accessed on 17.11.2004
Optional Protocol: Yes
Art. 20 (Confidential inquiry): No
Art. 22 (Individual communications): No

State report: Due on 31.05.2017 (2nd)
Last concluding observations: 18.06.2013

International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED)

CED: Ratified on 03.10.2012
Art. 33 (Inquiry procedure): Yes

State report: Overdue since 03.11.2014
Last concluding observations: N/A

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

Last review: 11.2010 (1st cycle)
Next review: 2015 (2nd cycle)

National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)

Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme (CNDH) – Status A

Last review: 05.2011
Next review: 2016