24 June 2011

Syria: Extra-judicial killings continue in Syria

Alkarama is concerned at the ongoing widespread violation of human rights in Syria. On 14 June 2011, we submitted a new communication regarding a further 80 people who have been extra-judicially executed by the security forces, some dying under torture to the Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions. Alkarama was also able to collect information regarding three individuals who died under torture, including two minors, as described below:
Click here to see the
Video showing how Mr
was killed

Mr Emran Dwaiq (عمران دويك), is a Syrian national. On 20 May 2011, Mr Dwaiq was participating in a peaceful protest which took place in the city of Hama when he was shot in the leg by Syrian security forces. Mr Dwaiq then fell to the ground in front of a restaurant in the Al Hadder region before being savagely beaten to death by security forces who were wearing a mixture of civilian clothing and uniform.

Click here to see
a video showing
traces of torture  on
Master Al-Khatib's body

Hamzeh Ali Al-Khatib (حمزة علي الخطيب), was 13 years old. On 29 April 2011, Hamzeh was arrested in front of the army barrier near Daraa, along with hundred of other people while he was walking from Aljeezah to attempt to break the siege on Daraa, being maintained by the Syrian security forces. Hamzeh and others in the group were arrested by the Syrian authorities, and Hamzeh subsequently disappeared until 25 May 2011, a month later, when his body was handed over to his family. His family has declared that he was seriously tortured while being detained and that live ammunition was used on his body.

Click here to see 
the video showing
banners stating that the
young boy was arrested
and killed under torture

Thamer Mohammed Al-Shar'i ((ثامر محمد الشرعي, was aged 15 years. On 29 April 2011, Thamer was arrested in the same circumstances as Hamzeh (the 13-year-old referred to above), and was killed under torture.

In the same correspondence, we also informed the UN Special Procedures of the extra-judicial execution of an additional 77 individuals in many regions throughout Syria, all of whom were killed between 20 and 21 May 2011. This list includes a number of minors, which is highly concerning. As with other cases provided to the UN in recent weeks, 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 throughout the country.

We are notably concerned that a number of mass graves have been uncovered throughout the country, the last of which was discovered on 5 June 2011 in Hama, a city in which more then 75 peaceful demonstrators were killed in a single day on 3 June 2011.

The international community should take action on behalf of the Syrian people and communicate to the Syrian government that their acts are contrary to international and domestic law. The international community should further ensure that the Syrian authorities immediately cease all further human rights violations as set out in Human Rights Council Resolution S-16/1.

Enclosed

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