Syrian Forces 'Authorized to Shoot to Kill' Protesters, Says HRW

Syrian Forces 'Authorized to Shoot to Kill' Protesters, Says HRW

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Syrian Forces 'Authorized to Shoot to Kill' Protesters, Says HRW

France 24, 2011

By Nicolas Rushworth , AP -

Dozens of Syrian military commanders and officials authorized or gave direct orders for widespread killings, torture, and illegal arrests during the wave of anti-government protests that began nine months ago, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

The 88-page report by the New York-based group, entitled, "’By All Means Necessary!’:

Individual and Command Responsibility for Crimes against Humanity in Syria," is based on more than 60 interviews with defectors from the Syrian military and intelligence agencies.

The report identifies 74 commanders and officials behind the alleged abuse.

"Defectors gave us names, ranks, and positions of those who gave the orders to shoot and kill, and each and every official named in this report, up to the very highest levels of the Syrian government, should answer for their crimes against the Syrian people," said Anna Neistat, associate director for emergencies at Human Rights Watch.

The report said the abuses constitute crimes against humanity and that the U.N. Security Council should refer Syria to the International Criminal Court.
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