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| Syria: rebels accused of human rights abuses - live updates | Syria: rebels accused of human rights abuses - live updates |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 10.14am: Opposition activists from the eastern city of Deir Ezzor have posted video which purports to show Syrian soldiers throwing dead and injured civilians from rooftops, according to the campaign group Avaaz. | |
| Avaaz claims various clips of the incident show eleven bodies being thrown from the roof. | |
| It also reports violent clashes between FSA fighter and the army in the city following reports of the killing of Major Ayham al-Hamad, a member of the notorious Air Force intelligence unite. | |
| Citizen journalist 'Abu Amar' told Avaaz: "Deir Al-Zour city is divided in two parts, one under the control of the security forces and the regular army and the other under the FSA." | |
| 10.07am: Syrian opposition activists Shakeeb al-Jabri is nettled by the Human Rights Watch report into rebel abuses. | |
| One year with absolutely zero help yet HRW finds it fit to lecture the Syrian opposition on justice. #Syria | |
| — Shakeeb Al-Jabri (@LeShaque) March 20, 2012 | |
| And in response to Middle East analyst Randa Slim, he added: | |
| @rmslim The people being lectured have not enjoyed the minimum standard of justice. It is wrong to lecture them (and pointless too). | |
| — Shakeeb Al-Jabri (@LeShaque) March 20, 2012 | |
| 9.53am: Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow will support a United Nations resolution endorsing Kofi Annan's plan for settling the Syrian crisis, AP reports. | |
| Lavrov said, however, that the Security Council shouldn't interpret Annan's proposals as an ultimatum, but simply as a basis for settling the crisis. | |
| Yesterday Lavrov's ministry put out a statement backing Red Cross calls for a daily ceasefire. | |
| The International Crisis Group has argued that Russia holds the key to resolving the Syrian crisis. | |
| Andrew Stroehlein its communications director, has provisionally welcomed reports of Lavrov's statement. | |
| good news if true RT @BreakingNews Russian Foreign Ministry says Moscow will support UN resolution endorsing Kofi Annan's #Syria plan - @AP | |
| — Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) March 20, 2012 | |
| In a report earlier this month the ICG said: | |
| For the regime, Moscow is key: losing it would mean losing a significant contributing factor to internal cohesion – the perception that, deep-down, the international community remains ambivalent at the prospect of real political change. Enter Kofi Annan: if the former UN Secretary-General can persuade Russia to back a transitional plan, the regime would be confronted with the choice of either agreeing to negotiate in good faith or facing near-total isolation through loss of a key ally. | |
| 9.32am: Human Rights Watch has demanded that Syrian opposition leaders "condemn and forbid" human rights abuses by armed groups. | 9.32am: Human Rights Watch has demanded that Syrian opposition leaders "condemn and forbid" human rights abuses by armed groups. |
| In an open letter it said: | In an open letter it said: |
| In the face of evidence of human rights abuses by armed opposition members, Human Rights Watch calls on the leadership of leading opposition groups including the Syrian National Council (SNC) and its Military Bureau to condemn such practices by the armed opposition and to work to prevent such unlawful practices. | In the face of evidence of human rights abuses by armed opposition members, Human Rights Watch calls on the leadership of leading opposition groups including the Syrian National Council (SNC) and its Military Bureau to condemn such practices by the armed opposition and to work to prevent such unlawful practices. |
| We recognise that the perpetrators of these abuses are not always easy to identify nor do they necessarily belong to an organized command structure that follows the orders of the SNC or other opposition groups. Some reports received by Human Rights Watch indicate that in addition to armed groups with political motivations, criminal gangs, sometimes operating in the name of the opposition, may be carrying out some of these crimes. | We recognise that the perpetrators of these abuses are not always easy to identify nor do they necessarily belong to an organized command structure that follows the orders of the SNC or other opposition groups. Some reports received by Human Rights Watch indicate that in addition to armed groups with political motivations, criminal gangs, sometimes operating in the name of the opposition, may be carrying out some of these crimes. |
| Following the creation of the SNC Military Bureau on 1 March, 2012, to liaise with, unify, and supervise armed opposition groups including the Free Syrian Army, Human Rights Watch calls on the Bureau to condemn and forbid these abuses in order to achieve its objective of ensuring members of the armed opposition comply with international humanitarian law and to meet its human rights obligations. | Following the creation of the SNC Military Bureau on 1 March, 2012, to liaise with, unify, and supervise armed opposition groups including the Free Syrian Army, Human Rights Watch calls on the Bureau to condemn and forbid these abuses in order to achieve its objective of ensuring members of the armed opposition comply with international humanitarian law and to meet its human rights obligations. |
| There has been no word yet from the Syrian National Council. | There has been no word yet from the Syrian National Council. |
| 9.26am: Car and roadside bombs have killed at least 43 people in cities and towns across Iraq extending a spate of violence ahead of next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad, Reuters reports. | 9.26am: Car and roadside bombs have killed at least 43 people in cities and towns across Iraq extending a spate of violence ahead of next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad, Reuters reports. |
| The meeting is seen as the country's debut on the regional stage following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in December and Iraq's government is anxious to show it can reinforce security to host its neighbors. | The meeting is seen as the country's debut on the regional stage following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in December and Iraq's government is anxious to show it can reinforce security to host its neighbors. |
| The deadliest attack on Tuesday occurred in the southern Shia Muslim holy city of Kerbala, where twin explosions killed 13 people and wounded 48, according to Jamal Mahdi, a Kerbala health department spokesman. | The deadliest attack on Tuesday occurred in the southern Shia Muslim holy city of Kerbala, where twin explosions killed 13 people and wounded 48, according to Jamal Mahdi, a Kerbala health department spokesman. |
| AP puts today's death toll from the attacks at 38. | AP puts today's death toll from the attacks at 38. |
| 9.05am: Much of the evidence compiled by Human Rights Watch of serious human rights abuses by Syrian rebels is based on video footage, as well testimony from rebels themselves. | 9.05am: Much of the evidence compiled by Human Rights Watch of serious human rights abuses by Syrian rebels is based on video footage, as well testimony from rebels themselves. |
| Here's its summary of what the videos show: | Here's its summary of what the videos show: |
| Kidnappings | Kidnappings |
| On January 26 the Al-Farouq battalion claimed responsibility for capturing seven Iranian nationals, five of whom appeared in video footage claiming to be members of the Iranian armed forces. In an interview on February 22 with Human Rights Watch the Al-Farouq battalion media coordinator said that the other two people detained are civilians but that they were detained because no Persian speaker was available when the Iranians were detained and that their civilian status was only confirmed later. | On January 26 the Al-Farouq battalion claimed responsibility for capturing seven Iranian nationals, five of whom appeared in video footage claiming to be members of the Iranian armed forces. In an interview on February 22 with Human Rights Watch the Al-Farouq battalion media coordinator said that the other two people detained are civilians but that they were detained because no Persian speaker was available when the Iranians were detained and that their civilian status was only confirmed later. |
| Torture | Torture |
| Human Rights Watch has reviewed at least 25 videos on YouTube in which Syrian security forces or their alleged supporters confess to crimes under circumstances in which it appears that their statements were made under duress. At least 18 of these videos show detainees who are bruised, bleeding, or show other signs of physical abuse. Human Rights Watch cannot independently confirm the authenticity of these videos. | Human Rights Watch has reviewed at least 25 videos on YouTube in which Syrian security forces or their alleged supporters confess to crimes under circumstances in which it appears that their statements were made under duress. At least 18 of these videos show detainees who are bruised, bleeding, or show other signs of physical abuse. Human Rights Watch cannot independently confirm the authenticity of these videos. |
| Executions | Executions |
| Other video footage reviewed by Human Rights Watch and information received in interviews indicates that members of armed opposition groups have executed people in their custody whom they suspected of crimes against the opposition. | Other video footage reviewed by Human Rights Watch and information received in interviews indicates that members of armed opposition groups have executed people in their custody whom they suspected of crimes against the opposition. |
| One video [warning: distubring content] released on YouTube on 4 February, shows a man hung from a tree by his neck in front of several armed fighters. Commentary indicates that he is a shabiha fighter captured and executed by the FSA Kafr Takharim battalion on 22 January. In a second video [warning: disturbing content] which appears to have been released by the FSA Al-Farouq battalion on YouTube, a person identified as a member of Air Force Intelligence based in Homs is interrogated and confesses to shooting at protesters. | One video [warning: distubring content] released on YouTube on 4 February, shows a man hung from a tree by his neck in front of several armed fighters. Commentary indicates that he is a shabiha fighter captured and executed by the FSA Kafr Takharim battalion on 22 January. In a second video [warning: disturbing content] which appears to have been released by the FSA Al-Farouq battalion on YouTube, a person identified as a member of Air Force Intelligence based in Homs is interrogated and confesses to shooting at protesters. |
| 8.28am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. Human Rights Watch has accused Syrian rebels of carrying out abuses including kidnap, torture and executions, as analysts claim the opposition is moving to a more violent phase. | 8.28am: (all times GMT) Welcome to Middle East Live. Human Rights Watch has accused Syrian rebels of carrying out abuses including kidnap, torture and executions, as analysts claim the opposition is moving to a more violent phase. |
| Here's a roundup of the latest developments: | Here's a roundup of the latest developments: |
| Syria | Syria |
| • Armed opposition elements have carried out serious human rights abuses including kidnap, torture and executions, according to Human Rights Watch. Sarah Leah Whitson, the organisation's Middle East director said: "Opposition leaders should make it clear to their followers that they must not torture, kidnap, or execute under any circumstances." | • Armed opposition elements have carried out serious human rights abuses including kidnap, torture and executions, according to Human Rights Watch. Sarah Leah Whitson, the organisation's Middle East director said: "Opposition leaders should make it clear to their followers that they must not torture, kidnap, or execute under any circumstances." |
| • Syria analyst Joshua Landis claims the opposition is moving to a more violent stage. Writing on his blog, Syria Comment he says: | • Syria analyst Joshua Landis claims the opposition is moving to a more violent stage. Writing on his blog, Syria Comment he says: |
| The coming "phase II" insurgency will be characterised by: the creation of cell-networks that maintain secrecy. Terrorism: these techniques include bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, threats, mutilation, murder, torture, and blackmail. These actions will be used to provoke the government into overreactions that discredit the regime, alienate the populace, and demonstrate its inability to protect them. | The coming "phase II" insurgency will be characterised by: the creation of cell-networks that maintain secrecy. Terrorism: these techniques include bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, threats, mutilation, murder, torture, and blackmail. These actions will be used to provoke the government into overreactions that discredit the regime, alienate the populace, and demonstrate its inability to protect them. |
| • Monday's attack on the Mezze district of Damascus signal a change of tactics by the rebels, according Middle East expert Juan Cole. | • Monday's attack on the Mezze district of Damascus signal a change of tactics by the rebels, according Middle East expert Juan Cole. |
| The Free Syrian Army, made up largely of defectors, has suffered major setbacks in the Baba Amr district of Homs and in Idlib in recent days. It made the mistake, as a guerrilla force, of trying to take and hold territory. Monday's engagement in Damascus was better planned, as an operation showing the other Syrians that the oppositionists have hardly disappeared. The revolutionaries got off a rocket propelled grenade attack on the mansion of an officer. The building from which they fought sustained major damage from regime attacks. | The Free Syrian Army, made up largely of defectors, has suffered major setbacks in the Baba Amr district of Homs and in Idlib in recent days. It made the mistake, as a guerrilla force, of trying to take and hold territory. Monday's engagement in Damascus was better planned, as an operation showing the other Syrians that the oppositionists have hardly disappeared. The revolutionaries got off a rocket propelled grenade attack on the mansion of an officer. The building from which they fought sustained major damage from regime attacks. |
| • Russia has backed Red Cross calls for daily humanitarian ceasefires in Syria, Russia Today reports. After a meeting in Moscow between ICRC president Jakob Kelleberger and Russia foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia agreed to the following statement: | • Russia has backed Red Cross calls for daily humanitarian ceasefires in Syria, Russia Today reports. After a meeting in Moscow between ICRC president Jakob Kelleberger and Russia foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, Russia agreed to the following statement: |
| The two parties call for the Syrian government and all armed groups opposing it to immediately agree on a daily humanitarian ceasefire to allow the ICRC and the Red Crescent access to the wounded and to civilians who need to be evacuated. | The two parties call for the Syrian government and all armed groups opposing it to immediately agree on a daily humanitarian ceasefire to allow the ICRC and the Red Crescent access to the wounded and to civilians who need to be evacuated. |
| • Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad, is to be added to a European Union sanctions blacklist after details of her online shopping sprees were revealed by leaked emails, according to the Daily Telegraph. European diplomats said the decision would be taken on Friday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. | • Syria's first lady, Asma al-Assad, is to be added to a European Union sanctions blacklist after details of her online shopping sprees were revealed by leaked emails, according to the Daily Telegraph. European diplomats said the decision would be taken on Friday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. |
| • Syria foreign ministry spokesman claims the opposition needs a Nelson Mandela figure who is willing to negotiate with the regime. Jihad Makdissi, told the Guardian columnist Jonathan Steele: | • Syria foreign ministry spokesman claims the opposition needs a Nelson Mandela figure who is willing to negotiate with the regime. Jihad Makdissi, told the Guardian columnist Jonathan Steele: |
| No one dares to confront the street and say we need dialogue. You need a statesman, a Nelson Mandela, who can say, I've suffered. I've been in prison but I'm willing to talk. | No one dares to confront the street and say we need dialogue. You need a statesman, a Nelson Mandela, who can say, I've suffered. I've been in prison but I'm willing to talk. |
| • Leaks of what appear to be official Syrian documents reveal how president Assad, personally signs off plans drawn up by his government's crisis management centre, prioritising a security crackdown to prevent protests against his regime spreading to Damascus. Hundreds of pages of confidential papers shown to al-Jazeera TV by a defector describe daily meetings of the heads of all Syria's security and intelligence agencies, who review events and issue orders that are then approved by the president. | • Leaks of what appear to be official Syrian documents reveal how president Assad, personally signs off plans drawn up by his government's crisis management centre, prioritising a security crackdown to prevent protests against his regime spreading to Damascus. Hundreds of pages of confidential papers shown to al-Jazeera TV by a defector describe daily meetings of the heads of all Syria's security and intelligence agencies, who review events and issue orders that are then approved by the president. |
| Egypt | Egypt |
| • Big crowds are expected in Cairo for the funeral of Coptic Pope Shenouda III, who died on Saturday, the BBC reports. A service will be held at St Mark's cathedral, followed by burial at St Bishoy monastery in the Nile Delta. | • Big crowds are expected in Cairo for the funeral of Coptic Pope Shenouda III, who died on Saturday, the BBC reports. A service will be held at St Mark's cathedral, followed by burial at St Bishoy monastery in the Nile Delta. |