| Date: 16/08/2012 Time: 11:15:00 PM |
The UK said tonight the latest report of the Human
Rights Council mandated Commission of Inquiry into human rights violations in
Syria is a chilling reminder of how far the situation in Syria has
deteriorated over the last six months.
In a statement, UK Minister of State at the Foreign Office David Lidington
said he was particularly disturbed by the reports of human rights violations
and abuses committed against children.
"The report is clear that the gravity, frequency and scale of human rights
violations perpetrated by the Syrian Government and its Shabbiha militia far
exceeds abuses committed by anti-government armed groups", the minister noted.
The Syrian government has not simply failed in its responsibility to
protect its citizens, but continues to repress them on a daily basis, he
added.
The report lays the blame squarely at the regime's door for the horrific
massacre in Al-Houlah, confirming the earlier findings of UNSMIS and
British-trained human rights activists, the statement went on.
"The wide ranging information collected by the Commission of Inquiry,
including details of individuals believed to be responsible for these crimes,
will make a significant contribution towards efforts on accountability".
The minister commended its work in gathering more than 1,000 witness
statements since September 2011, as well as examining significant amounts of
disturbing material such as photographs, videos and medical records.
As an independent body, its work is invaluable and we call for an extension
of its mandate, Lidington concluded. |