SYRIA: UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES PROBE INTO ALLEGED EXECUTION OF GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 2 Aug 2013 12:00:00 -0400
Subject: SYRIA: UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES PROBE INTO ALLEGED
EXECUTION OF GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

SYRIA: UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF URGES PROBE INTO ALLEGED EXECUTION OF
GOVERNMENT SOLDIERSNew York, Aug 2 2013 12:00PMUN High Commissioner
for Human Rights Navi Pillay today urged an independent investigation
into whether war crimes had been committed when armed opposition
groups in Syria allegedly executed dozens of captured Government
soldiers in the northern province of Aleppo last month.

"Based on the analysis by my team to date, we believe armed opposition
groups in one incident - documented by a video - executed at least 30
individuals, the majority of whom appeared to be soldiers," the High
Commissioner said in a
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13603&LangID=E">statement
issued by her office.

Ms. Pillay said allegations of the killings after a battle in Khan
Al-Assal, a district in rural Aleppo, are "deeply shocking" and
reiterated the need to ensure that those responsible for violations of
international humanitarian law and international human rights law on
all sides of the conflict are made accountable.

Opposition forces in Khan Al-Assal purportedly filmed and posted on
the internet between 22 and 26 July a series of videos, one apparently
showing Government soldiers being ordered to lie on the ground.
Another shows several bodies scattered along a wall and a number of
bodies at an adjacent site, according to the Office of the High
Commissioner (OHCHR).

"These images, if verified, suggest that executions were committed in
Khan Al-Assal," Ms. Pillay said. "There needs to be a thorough
independent investigation to establish whether war crimes have been
committed. And those responsible for such crimes should be brought to
justice."

Another video shows bodies being collected by members of the Red
Crescent and Free Syrian Army medical doctors, according to the Office
of the High Commissioner (OHCHR).

There were several other videos showing the bodies of dead Government
soldiers scattered around town, most of whom appeared to have been
shot in the head.

Meanwhile, OHCHR said is has received information from a reliable
source that opposition fighters still hold government officers and
soldiers captured in Khan Al-Assal.

"The High Commissioner reminds the parties to the conflict that all
persons no longer taking part in hostilities, including captured and
wounded soldiers, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely and
in accordance with international law," OHCHR said in today's
statement.

The UN human rights office said it continues to investigate the
circumstances and scope of the killings – including reports that the
overall number of dead is much higher. According to OHCHR, UN
investigators are being allowed to visit Khan Al-Assal as part of a
separate probe into three sites in the country to investigate
allegations of chemical weapons use.

"Let me also renew my call to the Syrian Government to grant
representatives from my Office and the Commission of Inquiry on Syria
access to the country, in order to be able to investigate human rights
violations, no matter who committed them," Pillay said.

The events in Khan Al-Assal are further evidence that flagrant
violations of international humanitarian and human rights law
committed by all parties have tragically become the norm in the Syrian
conflict, stressed Ms. Pillay.

"Opposition forces should not think they are immune from prosecution.
They must adhere to their responsibilities under international law,"
Pillay said.

The Commission of Inquiry on Syria has previously highlighted the
emerging patterns of summary execution and murder, perpetrated by
anti-Government armed groups, as well as Government forces and
affiliated militias.

Established by the UN Human Rights Council in August 2011, the
Commission has been mandated to investigate and record all violations
of international human rights law during the Syria conflict.

More than 100,000 people have been killed since fighting began between
Syrian Government forces and opposition groups seeking to oust
President Bashar Al-Assad. Almost 2 million have fled to neighbouring
countries and a further 4 million have been internally displaced.Aug
2 2013 12:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://apps.facebook.com/faceblogged/?uid=1340855784
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/presidentus1