Turkey: 8 civilians Kurds killed, 389 arrested during Ramadan
TURKEY, — During the holy month of Ramadan, the Turkish warplanes and police have killed at least 8 civilians Kurds and arrested 389 while the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of “reverence” for the holy month Ramadan which has on the contrary witnessed a bloody loss.
Warplanes continuously bombed the guerrilla areas and villages, while on an average of 12 persons were detained per day during the Ramadan month. Read more
Director-General voices alarm at continuing abuse against journalists in Syria
August 31, 2011 by sks
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The Director-General of UNESCO has voiced alarm at continuing abuse against journalists in Syria calling on the authorities to respect human right, including the basic rights of freedom of expression.
“I am alarmed at continuing reports of detention and physical abuse against journalists believed to be too critical,” the Director-General said. “Torture and detention will never convince the people of Syria that might is right. It is essential for the future of the country and its people that the authorities respect freedom of expression and listen to what their critics have to say.” Read more
Wednesday 31 August 2011
August 31, 2011 by sks
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Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre: This is Jarjanaz, 10 km E of Ma’ret Nu’man with a population of about 5000 inhabitants. As you can see in this video, the armed groups and Salafists are terrorising people with their guns. They are attacking the people during Eid. Therefore the people are calling on the military to intervene. Thank you for following Syrian state TV. Read more
Amnesty International: Syria’s syrge of deaths in detention revealed
August 30, 2011 by sks
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Despite these limitations, Amnesty International considers that the crimes behind the high number of reported deaths in custody of suspected opponents of the regime identified in this report, taken in the context of other crimes and human rights violations committed against civilians elsewhere in Syria, amount to crimes against humanity. They appear to be part of a widespread, as well as systematic, attack against the civilian population, carried out in an organized manner and pursuant to a state policy to commit such an attack.
For this reason, Amnesty International has called on the UN Security Council to not only condemn, in a firm and legally binding manner, the mass human rights violations being committed in Syria but also to take other measures to hold those responsible to account, including by referring the situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. As well, Amnesty International continues to urge the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Syria and to immediately freeze the assets of President al-Assad and other officials suspected of responsibility for crimes against humanity. Read more
Tuesday 30 August 2011
August 30, 2011 by sks
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Syrian Uprising 2011 Information Centre
UPDATE (30/8/2011): At least 7 martyrs have fallen today in Harah and Inkhel (Houran), and Qaboun (Damascus), added to 550 martyrs during Ramadan. But as the death toll rises also the protests keep spreading. Many Syrian cities are without communications, water or electricity. Thousands of Syrians are still refugees living in tents in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. See map for more info about today’s protests. Syria – Tuesday 30/08/2011 Read more
Turkey/Iraq: Investigation needed into killing of civilians in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
The killing several days ago of an Iraqi Kurdish family of seven, including two women and four children, when the vehicle they were travelling in was attacked in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, reportedly by a Turkish warplane, must be promptly and independently investigated, Amnesty International said today.
In the early afternoon of 21 August 2011 Hussain Mostafa Hassan, a 61-year-old Kurdish farmer from the village of Bolle near Mount Qandil on the Iraq-Iran border, was heading to the town of Rania, accompanied by six members of his family, when the car he was driving was bombed, reportedly by a warplane belonging to the Turkish armed forces. Hussain Mostafa Hassan, his 43-year-old wife, Mer Haci Mam Kak, his daughter Rezan Hussain Mostafa, aged 20, together with her two daughters Sonia Shamal Hassan, aged two, and Sholin Shamel Hassan, aged six months, his son Zana Hussain Mostafa, aged 11, and his niece Oskar Khuzer Hassan, aged 10, all died as a result. Later their burnt bodies were taken to a hospital in Rania and buried the same day. Read more
Syria’s Traditional Opposition: Upping the Ante
August 29, 2011 by sks
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When traditional Syrian opposition figures held their first conference in Damascus last June, the gathering was dismissed by many as a soapbox for independent voices who had little to do with the country’s popular revolt. Will a second conference slated for next month expand participation and leave a lasting mark on Syria’s emaciated political culture?
Syria’s seasoned opposition figures acting under the umbrella of the Syrian National Coordination Committee (NCC) are pinning their hopes on a second conference taking place in two weeks time to organize their ranks and provide a viable opposition alternative to Baathist rule. The conference’s planning committee has called upon all parties, groups, and street protesters to participate in the conference by nominating group representatives from their leadership and active members. Read more
First UN International Day of the Disappeared, Tuesday 30 August 2011
August 29, 2011 by sks
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Statement by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or involuntary Disappearances to mark the first UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – 30 August 2011
GENEVA (30 August 2011) – “They are not alone in their struggle. Today, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances marks the first UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances; a special day to spotlight this heinous crime, and to remind victims, including the families and associations of victims of those who disappeared, that they are not alone. Read more
Getting it Wrong in Syria – India should let the Syrian people speak for themselves
August 29, 2011 by sks
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HRW: Meenakshi Ganguly [Published in The Caravan, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011]
Now, India is facing a challenge called Syria. The Syrian military, with the exception of some brave individuals within its ranks, has followed the government’s instructions to gun down ordinary people peacefully demanding their rights. The Syrian government insists that the protests are fuelled by “armed terrorist gangs”. On-the-ground reports are difficult to come by because Syrian authorities refuse to grant access to journalists and independent observers. But several human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, are gathering information from local activists and Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. They have found that the majority of protests have been peaceful. Read more
U.S. Embassy In Baghdad: We support cooperation between Iraq and Turkey in combating The PKK
Rudaw conducted this interview via email with Michael McClellan, spokesperson for the US embassy in Baghdad.
Rudaw: What is US’s reaction to Turkey’s recent attacks on the Kurdistan region?
Michael McClellan: We support cooperation between Iraq and Turkey in combating the PKK, which is a common enemy of Turkey, Iraq, and the United States. We have seen the reports of the impact that the attacks have had on civilian populations that live along Iraq’s northern border and understand the concerns raised by Iraqi officials for their well-being. Read more
