'Syria crisis: UN says children used as human shields - Tuesday 12 June 2012' diff viewer (1/2)

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Syria crisis: UN says children used as human shields - live updates	Syria crisis: UN says children used as human shields - live updates
2012-06-12 08:50:43 UTC	2012-06-12 09:30:19 UTC (40 minutes later)
	10.03am: Bahrain: British foreign office minister Alistair Burt visited Bahrain yesterday, meeting the Crown Prince and ministers, as well as members of the opposition, civil society and the media.
	As usual, he urged the regime to press ahead with reforms and "called on all parties to enter into an inclusive and constructive political dialogue". After his visit, Burt said:
	Bahrain remains a top priority for the UK government. As a key partner and ally in the region, it is in our interests to support Bahrain on the road to long-term stability.
	Yesterday, I visited Bahrain and met with representatives from the government, as well as opposition parties, to hear about progress in implementing political reform in the country. As a close friend of Bahrain, it is our role to support positive steps and to offer constructive help on what still needs to be done.
	While the Bahraini government has made some good progress on the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), we are clear there is much more to do. Bringing about sustained, comprehensive reform will take time, but the government should build on the steps they have taken and ensure that BICI recommendations are implemented quickly and in full, including where they relate to human rights.
	We stand ready to assist Bahrain as it tackles the challenges ahead, including help with reform of the judicial system, promoting human rights training in the police and other government services, and reducing sectarian tension through reconciliation.
	As Bahrain moves forward, it is vital that all sides renounce violence unequivocally and engage in an inclusive process of political dialogue to deliver the safe and prosperous future that all the people of Bahrain want and deserve.
	Opposition activist Saeed Shehabi remains sceptical. Yesterday he tweeted:
	Bahrainis have long washed their hands off Alkhalifa regime. It is unreformable; the only strategy is to confront it head on #Bahrain
	— Saeed Shehabi (@SaeedShehabi) June 11, 2012
9.25am: "Children are paying a horrendous price in the military confrontations in Syria," says Jo Becker, children's rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch in response to the UN's report.	9.25am: "Children are paying a horrendous price in the military confrontations in Syria," says Jo Becker, children's rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch in response to the UN's report.
HRW says children are increasingly victim to Syria's conflict. It highlights the death toll among children compiled by activists at the Syria Violations Documentation Centre. To underline the point, its tally has since risen from 1,176 to 1,183 (screengrab pictured) since HRW published its press release.	HRW says children are increasingly victim to Syria's conflict. It highlights the death toll among children compiled by activists at the Syria Violations Documentation Centre. To underline the point, its tally has since risen from 1,176 to 1,183 (screengrab pictured) since HRW published its press release.
9.13am: Qatar: Human Rights Watch has called on Qatar to reform its labour laws before construction work starts for the 2022 World Cup.	9.13am: Qatar: Human Rights Watch has called on Qatar to reform its labour laws before construction work starts for the 2022 World Cup.
"The government needs to ensure that the cutting edge, high-tech stadiums it's planning to build for World Cup fans are not built on the backs of abused and exploited workers," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch said.	"The government needs to ensure that the cutting edge, high-tech stadiums it's planning to build for World Cup fans are not built on the backs of abused and exploited workers," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch said.
The New York based organisation has published a report today which includes interviews with 73 migrant construction workers. Qatar has the world's highest ratio of migrants to citizens: 94% of its workforce are migrants.	The New York based organisation has published a report today which includes interviews with 73 migrant construction workers. Qatar has the world's highest ratio of migrants to citizens: 94% of its workforce are migrants.
HRW says Qatar's recruitment and employment system effectively traps many migrant workers in their jobs.	HRW says Qatar's recruitment and employment system effectively traps many migrant workers in their jobs.
Qatar has one of the most restrictive sponsorship laws in the Gulf region, as workers cannot change jobs without their employer's permission, regardless of whether they have worked two years or 20, and all workers must get their sponsoring employer to sign an "exit permit" before they can leave the country ...	Qatar has one of the most restrictive sponsorship laws in the Gulf region, as workers cannot change jobs without their employer's permission, regardless of whether they have worked two years or 20, and all workers must get their sponsoring employer to sign an "exit permit" before they can leave the country ...
Qatari laws also prohibit migrant workers from unionising or striking, though the International Labour Organisation identifies free association as a core labour right.	Qatari laws also prohibit migrant workers from unionising or striking, though the International Labour Organisation identifies free association as a core labour right.
8.45am: The office of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon [pictured] has expressed alarm about the use of helicopter gunships by the Syrian government, but has also criticised the opposition's role in the recent increase in the violence.	8.45am: The office of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon [pictured] has expressed alarm about the use of helicopter gunships by the Syrian government, but has also criticised the opposition's role in the recent increase in the violence.
A statement issued by his office said:	A statement issued by his office said:
United Nations observers from the Supervision Mission in Syria have reported an increased level of armed confrontation between government and opposition forces. The government's intensive military operations, including the shelling of Homs and reportedly other population centres, as well as firing from helicopters on Talbiseh and Rastan, are resulting in heavy civilian casualties and human rights violations. The secretary-general underlines the importance of unimpeded access by Unsmis to Al-Haffa, amid reports of a build-up of government forces around the town.	United Nations observers from the Supervision Mission in Syria have reported an increased level of armed confrontation between government and opposition forces. The government's intensive military operations, including the shelling of Homs and reportedly other population centres, as well as firing from helicopters on Talbiseh and Rastan, are resulting in heavy civilian casualties and human rights violations. The secretary-general underlines the importance of unimpeded access by Unsmis to Al-Haffa, amid reports of a build-up of government forces around the town.
In this context, Unsmis is also observing planned and coordinated attacks on government forces and civilian infrastructure in multiple locations. The violence as a whole is intensifying amid the shifting tactics.	In this context, Unsmis is also observing planned and coordinated attacks on government forces and civilian infrastructure in multiple locations. The violence as a whole is intensifying amid the shifting tactics.
The secretary-general condemns this escalation of armed violence, in particular the shelling of population centres and attacks against civilian infrastructure by all sides, which impairs delivery of essential services and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. The secretary-general further calls on all sides to stop the killing, cease armed violence in all its forms and seek peaceful political means to resolve the deepening crisis, as called for by the six-point plan. The parties must abide by their obligations under international law.	The secretary-general condemns this escalation of armed violence, in particular the shelling of population centres and attacks against civilian infrastructure by all sides, which impairs delivery of essential services and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. The secretary-general further calls on all sides to stop the killing, cease armed violence in all its forms and seek peaceful political means to resolve the deepening crisis, as called for by the six-point plan. The parties must abide by their obligations under international law.
One contact of Syria watcher Joshua Landis highlights the plight of people in Talbiseh, one of the towns mentioned in Ban's statement.	One contact of Syria watcher Joshua Landis highlights the plight of people in Talbiseh, one of the towns mentioned in Ban's statement.
He said:	He said:
My home town Talbiseh has been under heavy bombardment and shelling by mortars, missiles,and military aircraft for over three days. About 20 have been killed, many many injured, crops burned, houses destroyed. People including my family are fleeing the town and sleeping in open farms, under trees, in dry irrigation canals.	My home town Talbiseh has been under heavy bombardment and shelling by mortars, missiles,and military aircraft for over three days. About 20 have been killed, many many injured, crops burned, houses destroyed. People including my family are fleeing the town and sleeping in open farms, under trees, in dry irrigation canals.
8.23am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.	8.23am: (all times BST) Welcome to Middle East Live.
Here's a roundup of the latest developments:	Here's a roundup of the latest developments:
Syria	Syria
• Children are being maimed, sexually assaulted and used as human shields according to the UN. In its annual report on children and armed conflict [pdf], the UN says children have been the victims of both opposition and the government forces, but most of its criticism concerns forces loyal to president Assad. It said:	• Children are being maimed, sexually assaulted and used as human shields according to the UN. In its annual report on children and armed conflict [pdf], the UN says children have been the victims of both opposition and the government forces, but most of its criticism concerns forces loyal to president Assad. It said:
In almost all recorded cases, children were among the victims of military operations by government forces, including the Syrian Armed Forces, the intelligence forces and the Shabbiha militia, in their ongoing conflict with the opposition, including the Free Syrian Army. Children as young as 9 years of age were victims of killing and maiming, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, and use as human shields. Schools have been regularly raided and used as military bases and detention centres.	In almost all recorded cases, children were among the victims of military operations by government forces, including the Syrian Armed Forces, the intelligence forces and the Shabbiha militia, in their ongoing conflict with the opposition, including the Free Syrian Army. Children as young as 9 years of age were victims of killing and maiming, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence, and use as human shields. Schools have been regularly raided and used as military bases and detention centres.
Interviews with former members of the Syrian armed forces and the intelligence forces indicated that civilians, including children, were targeted by government forces if they were residing in villages where members of FSA or other armed opposition groups were believed to be present or where deserters were hiding, or if they were seen fleeing the country seeking refuge. In one instance, a former member of the Syrian Armed Forces stated that, during protests in Tall Kalakh in December 2011, he was given an order by his commander to shoot without distinction, although the soldiers were aware that there were women and children among the protesters. During the armed break-up of the demonstrations, the witness saw three girls between approximately 10 and 13 years of age who had been killed by the Syrian Armed Forces. In another similar incident in Aleppo in the fourth quarter of 2011, a former member of the intelligence forces witnessed the killing of five children in a secondary school during demonstrations.	Interviews with former members of the Syrian armed forces and the intelligence forces indicated that civilians, including children, were targeted by government forces if they were residing in villages where members of FSA or other armed opposition groups were believed to be present or where deserters were hiding, or if they were seen fleeing the country seeking refuge. In one instance, a former member of the Syrian Armed Forces stated that, during protests in Tall Kalakh in December 2011, he was given an order by his commander to shoot without distinction, although the soldiers were aware that there were women and children among the protesters. During the armed break-up of the demonstrations, the witness saw three girls between approximately 10 and 13 years of age who had been killed by the Syrian Armed Forces. In another similar incident in Aleppo in the fourth quarter of 2011, a former member of the intelligence forces witnessed the killing of five children in a secondary school during demonstrations.
The Syrian armed forces and its associated Shabbiha militia used children as young as 8 years on at least three separate occasions within the reporting period ... In the village of Ayn l'Arouz in March 2012, a witness stated that several dozen children, boys and girls ranging between the ages of 8 and 13 years, were forcibly taken from their homes. These children were subsequently reportedly used by soldiers and militia members as human shields, placing them in front of the windows of buses carrying military personnel into the raid on the village.	The Syrian armed forces and its associated Shabbiha militia used children as young as 8 years on at least three separate occasions within the reporting period ... In the village of Ayn l'Arouz in March 2012, a witness stated that several dozen children, boys and girls ranging between the ages of 8 and 13 years, were forcibly taken from their homes. These children were subsequently reportedly used by soldiers and militia members as human shields, placing them in front of the windows of buses carrying military personnel into the raid on the village.
• The UN observers reported an escalation in violence across Syria and expressed alarm about civilians trapped in besieged rebel strongholds in the central city of Homs and northwestern village of Al Heffa, the New York Times reports.	• The UN observers reported an escalation in violence across Syria and expressed alarm about civilians trapped in besieged rebel strongholds in the central city of Homs and northwestern village of Al Heffa, the New York Times reports.
Cease-fire monitors reported artillery shelling and machine-gun fire in the Khaldiyeh section of Homs as well as the towns of Rastan and Talbiseh, to the north. The monitors also reported the military's use of helicopter gunships — a relatively new tactic employed by the Syrian Army, first observed by antigovernment activists in attacks on armed rebels around the major port of Latakia a week ago. The helicopter attacks are regarded as a significant escalation by the government side in the conflict.	Cease-fire monitors reported artillery shelling and machine-gun fire in the Khaldiyeh section of Homs as well as the towns of Rastan and Talbiseh, to the north. The monitors also reported the military's use of helicopter gunships — a relatively new tactic employed by the Syrian Army, first observed by antigovernment activists in attacks on armed rebels around the major port of Latakia a week ago. The helicopter attacks are regarded as a significant escalation by the government side in the conflict.
• Britain has for the first time raised the spectre of al-Qaida operating in Syria, while at the same time accusing Damascus of brutally targeting specific communities and driving Syrians to take up arms. "We … have reason to believe that terrorist groups affiliated to al-Qaida have committed attacks designed to exacerbate the violence, with serious implications for international security," said Hague in a speech to the Commons. He offered no details.	• Britain has for the first time raised the spectre of al-Qaida operating in Syria, while at the same time accusing Damascus of brutally targeting specific communities and driving Syrians to take up arms. "We … have reason to believe that terrorist groups affiliated to al-Qaida have committed attacks designed to exacerbate the violence, with serious implications for international security," said Hague in a speech to the Commons. He offered no details.
Libya	Libya
• Two people were injured when a British diplomatic convoy was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Benghazi, in the most serious of a spate of assaults on foreign targets in Libya's second city. Security experts say the area around the city is host to a number of Islamist militant groups who oppose any western presence in Muslim countries.	• Two people were injured when a British diplomatic convoy was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Benghazi, in the most serious of a spate of assaults on foreign targets in Libya's second city. Security experts say the area around the city is host to a number of Islamist militant groups who oppose any western presence in Muslim countries.