05 April 2011

Syria: 70 additional confirmed deaths in recent protests

Alkarama is deeply concerned by the Syria security forces' continued use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators in Syria. Alkarama has confirmed 70 more deaths as a result lethal force used by the Syrian authorities against protesters. This total comes on the back of the case of 58 dead, which Alkarama submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions on 30 March 2011.

Protests began in Syria on 16 March 2011 as part of the wave of pro-democracy demonstrations across the Middle East. Syrian authorities, including State Security and military forces, have been systematically using excessive force, including live ammunition, to try to disperse and ultimately repress protesters. The Syrian authorities are using snipers in civilian clothing to target protestors - two 17-year-old boys were killed in Duma as a result of lethal sniper rounds.

Alkarama fears are that the systematic and on-going repression of protests by the Syrian authorities will only result in more deaths, particularly as these extra-judicial executions continue despite calls from the international community for the Syrian authorities to show restraint.

On 5 April 2011 Alkarama submitted a follow-up report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions regarding 70 confirmed deaths in addition to the 58 previous deaths. Alkarama has asked the Special Rapporteur to intervene with the Syrian authorities in order that they understand and comply with their obligations under international human rights law and take the necessary steps to prevent any further killings of peaceful protestors.

Alkarama calls on the Syrian government and its security forces to exercise restraint in view of the protests, and respect their international and national obligations, including the absolute right to life and the freedom of opinion and expression.

Click here to see a pdf list of those killed during recent protests from 18 March 2011 to 1 April 2011

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