Alkarama had previously submitted 301 cases to the UN on 30 March 2011 and 359 cases on 21 April 2011. For fear that the Syrian authorities will torture detainees, which is frequently the case, Alkarama has also sent the 716 cases to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

What is particularly alarming, human rights defenders in Syria claim to have only been able to document 10% of the arrests. News reports alleged that schools and even the Al Baladi ('national') stadium in Daraa are being used to incarcerate those arrested. This only demonstrates the Syrian authorities total unwillingness to reason with protestors in a peaceful manner, despite calls from the international community for restraint. This ongoing pattern is extremely alarming.

The growing list of arrestees only pales in comparison with the list of those killed in recent weeks. Syrian security and military forces have used excessively violent force, including the use of live ammunition to try to disperse protesters, resulting in more than 800 deaths to date.

Alkarama is also informed that despite the abolition of the emergency law and the State Security Court on 20 April 2011, arbitrary arrests and human rights abuses continue to be committed by the authorities with total impunity, particularly in Daraa, which is still under a military blockade.

Alkarama request the International Community intervene with the Syrian government on behalf of the Syrian people. We also request the Syrian government to immediately remedy to the situation by releasing those who are detained; ensuring that those detained are not exposed to torture or ill-treatment; taking appropriate sanctions against those who mistreat peaceful demonstrators; and to make sure that Human Rights Council Resolution S-16/1 is respected.