Published: December 14, 2011
Eruption of Violence Imminent in Syria's Key Cities
More than 5,000 people have now died since the start of the public uprising in Syria, the United Nations human rights chief said today, sounding the alarm that a crackdown and fresh eruption of violence could be imminent in one of the country's key cities.
Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said "many voices are warning that a major assault" on Homs - already the scene of frequent clashes between security forces and protesters this year - is about to begin, with a military build-up reported.
"I am not in a position to confirm those reports, but the prospect of such an attack is extremely alarming."- Ms. Pillay
Bashar Ja'afari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the UN, speaks to the press following the Security Council's closed-door session on the situation in his country. During the meeting Council Members were briefed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, who urged the Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court for investigation into possible crimes against humanity.UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
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Ms. Pillay's office (OHCHR) has received reports that hundreds of tanks and weapons have been deployed over the past few days, dozens of checkpoints have been set up and numerous trenches have been dug.
While OHCHR is unable to verify those reports because it has not been allowed access, it has seen video footage showing corpses on the streets, buildings riddled with bullets and tanks in residential streets.
Ms. Pillay said the overall death toll in the Syrian clashes "probably exceeds 5,000," based on what she said were credible reports from a series of sources. The toll includes at least 300 children.
The High Commissioner said the Syrian Government "has manifestly ignored the pleas and condemnations of the international community at all levels."
Speaking to reporters after the Council briefing, she reiterated her earlier calls for the situation inside Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying the "widespread and systematic nature" of killings, detentions and acts of torture constituted crimes against humanity.
She also noted the "huge numbers" of people kept in detention centres across Syria.
The uprising in Syria is part of a broader popular protest movement that has engulfed North Africa and the Middle East this year and led to the toppling of long-term regimes in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen.
Source: United Nations
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