LA Times - U.N. panel accuses Syria of gross human rights violations

LA Times - U.N. panel accuses Syria of gross human rights violations

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Adding to the international pressure on Syria, a U.N. panel on Monday accused President Bashar Assad's regime of gross human rights violations in its crackdown on protesters, including torturing and killing children, shooting unarmed demonstrators and raping detainees.

SyriaunThe 39-page report, prepared by an independent panel of experts for the U.N. Human Rights Council, offers the most detailed account yet of the crackdown, which the United Nations says has killed more than 3,500 people since major protests began in March.

At least 256 children have been killed since early November, including a 2-year-old girl allegedly shot by an officer who said he did not want her to grow up to be a demonstrator, the report says. Several men told the panel they had been raped with rods and saw boys receive the same treatment. Some soldiers who refused to carry out orders to open fire on peaceful demonstrators were themselves reportedly shot and killed.

The opposition Local Coordination Committees reported 16 more deaths Monday, including a “little girl.” The claim could not be independently verified because the activities of journalists, human rights activists and international observers are heavily restricted in Syria.

The commission of inquiry said it was “gravely concerned that crimes against humanity have been committed” and called on the government to immediately halt abuses, initiate independent and impartial investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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