SNHR: Comprehensive Report of Chemical Weapons use by the Syrian Government

    Introduction

GENEVA PROTOCOL

for the Prohibition of the Use of Asphyxiating, Poison or Other Gases, and Bacteriological Methods of Warfare; 1925 agreement banning the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.

The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction
(Signed at London, Moscow and Washington on 10 April 1972.
Entered into force on 26 March 1975)
Chemical Weapons Convention

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction
( Signed at Paris and New York on January 13,1993 , Effective, April 29,1997 )

Syrian Network for Human Rights’ team conducted separate investigations for each case in which Syrian Armed Forces used chemical weapons inside Syrian territories.
The team encountered great difficulties, especially the inability of team members to perform field visits and conduct analyses, due to the Syrian government’s prevention of the Syrian Network for Human Rights to work freely on the Syrian’s territory.
Therefore, Syrian Network for Human Rights’ Team who exist in all of the Syrian territories documented and recorded information and testimonies that they obtained from survivors, eyewitnesses, and physicians who examined the injured, to finally get the following appendixes and attachments.

Summary

Syrian government’s Armed Forces launched 13attacks in five targeted Governorates. Given the current circumstance, through the testimonies of residents and physicians in the field hospitals, we confirmed that the Syrian government’s Armed Forces used various types of poisonous gases in some of these attacks, and chemical weapons in others. Syrian Network for Human Rights’ team prepared detailed reports about those terrifying attacks that led to 57 victims, and 508 injuries.

The targeted governorates can be summarized as follows:

Homs: Two chemical weapons attack

First attack:

The first attack occurred on December 23, 2012, Bayada and Deir Ba’lbeh in Homs were targeted. The attack to the lives of six victims and caused at least 60 injuries, including ten left in critical condition, four paralyzed, and three who lost their sight.

Second attack:

The second attack occurred on December 25, 2012, it was targeted against Zafarana village in the north of Homs. The attack suffocated 35 people, all residents. Syrian Network for Human Rights didn’t document any deaths.

Aleppo: Three chemical weapons attack

First attack:

The first attack was on March 19, 2013, in Khan Alasa’l in Aleppo’s western countryside.
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces warplanes used missiles with chemical warheads on Khan Alasa’l, killing 22 victims and causing 250 injuries.

Second attack:

The second attack was on Saturday April 13, 2013, in the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood of Aleppo.
According to a Syrian Network for Human Rights member in Aleppo: A helicopter belonging to the Syrian Government’s Air Force (who is controlled solely by the Syrian Government) dropped two poisonous gas bombs on Sheikh Maksoud – North of Aleppo (Kurdish majority). The bombs are metal cans fairly like conservers with plastic cans inside containing toxic materials that turn into gases. It also had safety valves.
These bombs killed 5 victims, including two infants, more than twelve injuries were caused by the inhalation of poisonous gas, and they were transferred to Afrin for treatment.

Third attack:

Thee third attack was on Saturday April 27, at Kueres military airport in Aleppo.
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces dropped artillery shells on Free Syrian Army centers, which immediately turned into gas when they exploded.
It led to 10 dead of FSA, 15 injuries from poisoning, suffocation, and allergic symptoms caused from inhaling the poisonous gas. The injured were transferred to FSA medical points around the airport.

Third: Damascus countryside 6 chemical weapons attacks

First attack:

First attack occurred close to 11 AM, on Tuesday March 19 , 2013, in Al-Otaiba town.
It led to 5 deaths, more than 60 suffocation injuries, including women and children.
The second attack: in Adra.

Second attack:

Second attack occurred nearly at 9 PM on Sunday, March 24, 2013, Adra Town.
It led to two deaths, and more than 40 injuries, all residents.

Third attack:

Third attack happened close to 4 AM, on Tuesday April 09, 2013, Al-Otaiba town.
It led to deaths of a number of livestock owned by residents, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights did not document any death cases among citizens.

Fourth attack:

Fourth attack was on Wednesday April 25, 2013 in Darea city, Shell focused on the southern area in the city.
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces shelled the city with two surface to surface missiles containing chemical warheads (poisonous gases), and led to a large number of suffocations among civilians and poultry deaths.

Fifth attack:

Fifth attack was on Wednesday April 17, 2013, in Ain Tarma town – Damascus countryside.
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces, after clashes between FSA, shelled the town with poisonous gases’ bombs, killing one civilian and injuring eight others (Free Syrian Army members and civilians).
.
Sixth attack:

Sunday 9/6/2013, Eastern Ghouta – Almarj area
Syrian Government’s Armed Troops shelled Free Syrian Army centers with poisonous gases, led to 4 suffocation cases transferred to field hospital.

Fourth: Damascus governorate 2 chemical weapons attacks

First attack:

First attack happened on Sunday April 7, 2013, in Jobar neighborhood.
It was targeted with poisonous gas, which led to 7 sever suffocation injuries.

Second attack:

Second attack was on Sunday April 14, 2013, Jobar neighborhood. The neighborhood was targeted with poisonous gas, killing 1 civilian, and injuring more than 30 others.

Fifth: Idlib governorate 1 chemical weapon attack

On Monday April 29, 2013, in Saraqeb.
According to residents’ testimonies: Helicopter belonging to Syrian Government’s Air Force (who is controlled solely by the Syrian Government) dropped bags that dispersed into dust particles, causing 14 suffocation injuries. The injured were transferred to Saraqeb hospital.

Attacks’ Details according to Eyewitnesses and Physician in field hospitals
Homs Governorate:
Sunday, December 23, 2012
That morning,Syrian Government’s Armed Forces shelled the area of Al-Bayada, DeirBa’lbeh and Al-Steen Street. Shelling continued for hours, and then Syrian Government’s Armed Forces retreated. An explosion with white smoke followed at about seven o’clock in the evening on the same day.

Later, the smoke was identified as poisonous gas, injuring more than 50 civilians, who were transferred to the hospital. According to testimonies of field hospital physicians and eyewitnesses, the bomson g resulted in cases of delirium, nerve convulsions, loss of consciousness, tingling, or numbness in all parts of the body. The injured suffered a loss of taste, severe pain in the eye, myosis and very constricted pupils that looked pin-point. Suffocation patients needed extended treatments to the trachea, treatment with oxygen, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting which resulted in acute failure of the respiratory and Haemoptysis similar to the symptoms of pneumonia inhalation, which was the main cause of death for victims.

Attack led to 7 residents’ victims, and at least 60 injuries, including 10 critical conditions, 4 paralyzed and 3 who lost their vision.

Victims were documented via communication with physicians and their families:

A media activist and Free Syrian Army eyewitness in Homs said:
“We heard a sound like a gas bomb, no smell or color, suddenly people fell down, everyone who was near the bomb were affected the most. I was a little further away from the blast, but when I came closer to help the injured, I got the same symptoms: couldn’t breathe, eye Penumbra, and relaxed nerves. I stayed in this situation for 5 days, and suffered dozens of injuries.”

Appendixes and attachments:

Victims who were documented through communications with physicians and their families:

1- Alaa As’aad Hassan – (El Chircassy) – Al-Bayada – 12/23/2012 – the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=303631153089923&set=a.206965176089855.44506.206962152756824&type=1&relevant_count=1

2- SaberMando– Al-Bayada-23-12-2012-the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched

3- Ehab Asi – Al-Bayada -23-12-2012 – the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched

4- Bassam Iboros – 25 years – Deir Ba’laba – the Arab Spring – 12/23/2012 – the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched.

5- Walid Mohammed Hamadi – Al-Khalidiya – 12/23/2012 – the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched.

6- StoffIbrahim Hammadi – Al-Khaldia – 12/23/2012 – the reason: suffocation resulting from gases that were launched.

Videos and pictures of injured people

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=303572776429094&set=a.206965176089855.44506.206962152756824&type=1&relevant_count=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=511712475526803&set=a.266655590032494.70853.266496590048394&type=1&relevant_count=1
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=511712475526803&set=a.266655590032494.70853.266496590048394&type=1&relevant_count=1

Video of a field hospital, showing many cases of suffocation and the testimony of those who were injured in the attack.

Field hospital which was filled with injured

The following is a report that was sent by physicians who were in the field hospital and treated the injured:

Photography report of one of Homs physicians:

The second attack in Homs: in Al-Zafranah

On Tuesday 12/25/2012,
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces again used poisonous gas, the same kind that was used in Al-Zafranah village – north Homs. These gases led to more than 20 suffocations, but we did not document any deaths.

Appendixes and attachments:

Videos depicting the use of poisonous gas on the region



Aleppo Governorate :
First attack in Khan Al-Asal
The reality of what happened in Khan Al-Asal, testimony of eyewitnesses, victims’ families and activists.

Date of attack: 03/19/2013

Documented by The Syrian Network for Human Rights
Introduction
Khan Al’asal is located in the western countryside of Aleppo governorate, about 5 kilometers from Aleppo, and most of its residents is loyal to the Assad regime. Western part of the region was liberalized on 25/02/2013, it includes the police academy, and some farms, but other parts are still under the control of the Assad regime.

The region was bombed as said at 3:45 am by military air forces, warplanes dropped missiles which exploded and fired fragments like sand to long distances. The missile fell on the southern region of Khan Al’asal.

Note the following:

First: Military Air Force is owned only by Syrian government’s Armed Forces.

Second: the bomson g targeted areas loyal to the Syrian regime either by mistake, or deliberately and intentionally, and all victims were people loyal to the Syrian regime. Actually, this is why Syrian regime insists that the limits of United Nations Investigation Commission only include the attack that targeted Khan Al’asal.

The report:

Location on the map:

https://maps.google.com/?ll=36.163137,37.020578&spn=0.019645,0.042272&t=m&z=15

Testimony of Dr., Nael Hariri, he has treated the injuries in Aleppo University Hospital:

The eyewitness who was in Aleppo University Hospital, when the injured were transported to the hospital, is a physician working in the hospital, his name is Nael Hariri, and he is still alive:

“After the bomson g, which targeted Khan Al’Asal, the hospitals in the city began to receive hundreds of cases of injuries. 25 killed were counted at Al-Ragaa hospital, Al-Razi hospital, Al-Shahbaa hospital, Syrian Specialist hospital, and Aleppo university hospital. They all died with symptoms of bronchospasm, suffocation, myosis, and nausea and vomiting sometimes without any malformed in an external dead body. While hundreds of injured people (about 200 – 250 cases) were treated in the public and private ambulance rooms, they had symptoms of allergic and metabolic similar with symptoms of phosphorus poisoning. This creates strong medical doubts outweighing the use of chemical Sarin gas cause it’s symptoms is light allergic and even quick death within few seconds, this is depending on the amount of gas that the body has exposed directly.”

The communication with the witness can be done through his account on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/halaalna?fref=ts

Testimony of a female eyewitness, she could communicate with some nurses who are in Aleppo University Hospital. Her name is Hala Ngari, and she is still alive:
“The injuries of Khan Al’asal’s residents who suffered from suffocation were transported to Aleppo University Hospital, but media correspondents were prevented from entering the hospital, while police, and security forces filled the hospital. The only correspondent who was there is Shadi Helw (the correspondent of Syrian satellite channel), any other media correspondents want to enter, will be subjected to a full body search, and they cannot take photos. ”

The cases of suffocation filled the hospital. Additionally, I would like to say that there are victims in Khan Al-Asal who haven’t yet been transported to the hospital, patients die immediately, or died on the stretcher, and there are the injured who receive oxygen but are still waiting to die, or others with lighter symptoms.

The more important information to those who claim that this gas is not a chemical gas, is the nurses and physicians that suffered from neurological disorders because of the smell of the patients’ clothes. Furthermore, one of them suffered from suffocation, so patients undressed other patients’ clothes to not influence the medical staff.

The communication with the witness can be done through her Facebook account
http://www.facebook.com/DrNael?fref=ts

Testimony of one of the nurses who was in Al-Ragaa hospital, during the treatment of the injured, but she refused to disclose her identity out of fear of being tracked by security forces:

“Almost 40 injuries arrived at the hospital, all of them suffered from bronchospasm and myosis, ten of them died. Furthermore, two nurses and a doctor suffered from syncope and nervous convulsions.

It is thought that the material used is organic phosphor because it is transferred by touch and inhalation.”

Testimony of resident Eyewitness, his name is Ahmed Subh, and he is still alive:

“Khan Al-Asal has been shelled for a long time. A part of it was liberalized and all people in the occupied parts are Shabiha and loyal to the Assad regime. The warplane shelled the southern neighbourhood. Difficulty, we could confirm that the bombs were carrying chemical materials, and resulted in cases of suffocation. Through our communication with some relatives residing in the southern neighbourhood and by spying by wireless its frequency the same of Army’s channel. Due to their loyalty to the Al-Assad regime, they were transported to governmental hospitals.”

You can communicate with the witness through his account on Skype:
ahmed.r.86

Testimony of resident’s Eyewitness, he is a media activist, his name is Abu Abdullah al-Halabi, and he is still alive: he told us about the place that was shelled

“I’m in Khan Al-Asal, and every two days I participate with the youth (free army) in battlefield. Khan Al-Asal consists of four neighbourhoods, most of its residents are Alawites, supportive to Al-Assad regime and Shabiha, all of them are armed. All the vicitms were Shabiha, and we are the residents and we know them.”

You can communicate with the witness through his account on Skype:
jouman1111

Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the killing of 22 civilians from the region’s residents after they suffered from suffocation. The victims include five children, seven women and a doctor who was overseeing the treatment of patients in the hospital. Additionally, we documented nearly 250 injuries of symptoms of metabolic syndrome, hepatic failure, nerve convulsions, loss of consciousness, inability to speak, and mycosis. All these symptoms are similar to the symptoms of organic phosphorus poisoning.

Victims’ Names:

1) Ms. Znob daughter of Taha Za’rour and Khayria.
2) Ammar son Mahmoud Za’rour and Zaina.
3) Ahmed son Ali Za’rour and Marashaa.
4) Ms. Fatima daughter Ali Za’rour, and Marashaa.
5) Zaror son Ali Za’rour and tmoo.
6) Hassan Son Za’rour Ali Za’rour and Amon.
7) 8) two children, they are the sons of: Ali son Ahmed Ali Za’rour.
9) Ms. Amon Daughter of Ismail Amuri and Maryam Rajab.
10)Ahmed Son of Omar Amuri and Helmeyet.
11)Ahmed Son of Abdu Amuri and Amon.
12) Mrs. Samiha Daughter of Fares Abdul Qadir and Fatoom.
13)Mohamed Son of Mahmoud Saleh and Ayouche.
14)Abdo Son of Hassan Qaddah and Amina.
15)Ms. Zeinab girl Zakaria Abdullah Ali and Ayouche.
16)Ms. Buthaina Daughter of Zakaria Abdul Ali and Ayouche.
17)Ms. Zahra Daughter of Ali Abdullah Za’rour and Zeinab.
18) Victim Abdel Hadi Son of Ali Abdullah Za’rour rn and Zeinab.
19)– 21) Three children, they are the sons: Ahmed Abdo Amuri and Fatima
22)Unknown physician– during his treating of patients in Aleppo university hospital.

Appendixes and attachments:
Testimonies of some residents


Testimony of Battalion Commander in free army

Second Attack
Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood
The second attack was on Saturday April 13, 2013, in the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood in Aleppo.
According to a Syrian Network for Human Rights member in Aleppo: A helicopter belonging to Syrian Government’s Air Force (who is controlled solely by the Syrian Government) dropped two poison gas bombs on Sheikh Maksoud – North of Aleppo (Kurdish majority). The bombs are metal cans fairly like conservers with plastic cans inside containing toxic materials, which turn into gases. It also featured safety valves.
These bombs led to the deaths of five victims, including two infants, more than 12 injuries by the inhalation of poisonous gas. They were transferred to Afrin for treatment.
Medical source inside Afrin hospital told us that those who were exposed to the gas showed signs of hallucinations, vomiting, heavy runny nose and burning eyes. Their conditions deteriorated after they got into the hospital. In three hours, they had other symptoms such as mycosis, nerve irritation and throat irritation, breath shortness, loose neurological reflexes that evolved to the loss of consciousness, and frothing from the mouth.
Also, the health situation to some paramedics deteriorated.
Physicians inside Afrin Hospital told us that they didn’t conduct any Lab tests to know the used material since such tests are only conducted in two labs in Syria: one in Aleppo, and the other in Damascus, and both belong to Syrian Criminal Security.
Also, many hospitals lack the necessary drugs and ingredients to heal such injuries, and doctors don’t have suitable suits or protective masks.
Another medical source in a field hospital in Shiekh Maksoud told us that one of those who inhaled the poisonous gases lost his vision immediately.

==========
Name of the victims that we could document by communicating with their families and friends:
1- Ms.Ghadir Alnadaf
2- Child Abo Bakr Abdullah – 2 years –
3- Chidl Younes Abdullah – 4 months –
4- Ms. Ghernas Kubani
5- Ms. Ghalia ( unknown surname )

Names of the families who exposed to the poisonous gas
1- Ms. Reem Younes
2- Moneer Younes
3- Abdullah Younes
4- Yaser Younes
5- Jasem Alali
6- Mahmod Bakri
7- Alaa Bakri
8- Mostafa Horo
9- Rojhalat
10-Hafal Ibrahim
11-Rashad Abdo
12-Ismael Mamo

Appendixes and attachments:

Testimony of physician in Afrin Hospital:

Testimony of Sheikh Maksod’s resident about poisonous shelling

Video shows injuries in the hospital


======
Photos of the incident
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IEMG84YkpYdl9GSU0/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IEa2R4RldzaUNldE0/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IEaGlocHI1bVlobzA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IETXoydDZVcXh3VFE/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IEVDZ6YXY2eFZkWkk/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0HPkNRyC7IERjI5YnVfWV9oYjg/edit?usp=sharing

Third attack:

Kueres military airport in Aleppo

Third attack was on Saturday April 27, Kueres military airport 16 Km away from Aleppo and the Aleppo countryside (Dier Hafer airport).
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces dropped artillery shells on Free Syrian Army centers, which immediately turned into gases when they exploded.
It led to ten dead FSA member, 15 injured through poisoning, suffocation, and allergic symptoms such as heavy runny nose, burning eyes and hallucinations caused by the inhalation of the poisonous gas. The injured were transferred to FSA medical points around the airport.

Map of the airport:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1+%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1+%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1+,+%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8,+%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A9+%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8,+%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9%E2%80%8E&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=36.18562,37.580366&spn=0.019639,0.042272&sll=36.163102,37.229533&sspn=0.019645,0.042272&hq=%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1+%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1+%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1+,+%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8,+%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A9+%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8,+%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9%E2%80%8E&t=m&z=15
According to an eyewitness, Yousef Satouf, a media activist and resident in that area who is still alive, he said:
“During clashes there is shelling, Saturday almost 1.00 PM artillery shells Free Syrian Army centers, the shell turned into gas immediately when it exploded. Some suffocated to death when they inhaled the gas, and others were transferred to field hospitals near the airport. The injured showed signs of poisoning, suffocation, and allergic symptoms such as a heavy runny nose, burning eyes, hallucination, and vomiting.
You can communicate with the Eyewitness by Skype:
Yaser.future1
Victims’ name:
1- Yousef Ahmad Almahshi
2- Abdulrazak Almetaeb Alwasmi
3- Husain Alaid Aljunaid
4- Abdulwahab Khshilij
5- Hamza Ali Sarhan
6- Mohamad Ahmad Mohemed
7- Idris Mahmod Alahmad Alshahod
8- Fahd Alkhalaf
9- Abdulrahman Krot
10- Mazen Alhamadi ( Abo Adi )
========

Damascus Countryside: 5 chemical weapons attacks

The first attack: Al Otaiba:

Tuesday 03/19/2013, and at approximately 11 AM, Syrian Government’s Armed Forces bombed Al Otaiba with missiles carrying toxic warheads. It led to the spread of clouds of gas after explosion. Also, it killed five victims, one who was known by residents, they are:
1- Hosam Kashisha
2- Husein Kashisha

3- Yousef Kashisha
4- Mohamed Abu ElKheir
5- Kasem Abu ElKheir

In addition to injuring more than (60) citizens from this region, most of them were women and children. They suffered from suffocation, respiratory failure, hemoptysis, a severe drop in blood pressure, nervous and peripherals convulsions, mycosis.

Appendixes and Attachments

In the following video, testimony of a doctor who oversaw the treatment of injured with these gases.

In the following video, testimony of one of injured with these gases

Video shows one of injured with these gases

The second attack: Adra

On Sunday 03/24/2013, at almost 9 pm, forces of the Syrian army, loyal to the Syrian government, bombed the Adra region with missiles containing chemical warheads. It killed two victims, injured six that suffered from convulsions, and more than 38 injured from the region.

Appendixes and attachments:

Victim Mahmoud Said Karim, who was killed after inhaling toxic gases

victim Abu Anas Arbash, who was killed after inhaling toxic gases

Testimony of a doctor who are inside the field hospital, explaining the status of each patient, while he moves among them:

The following video shows the field hospital from its inside, and a number of injured:

Third attack: Al-Otaiba:

On Tuesday 09/04/2013, Syrian army loyal to the Syrian government targeted Al-Otaiba with three missiles carrying chemical materials. The Syrian army forces left the place in the last night, and the bomson g occurred on Tuesday at 4 AM.

Syrian network for the human rights did not document any deaths, after the departure of battalions armed rebels left, the withdrawal of the military forces of the Syrian government. The attack resulted in the death of a number of animals.

Appendixes and attachments:

This video shows an armed rebels taking about what happened:

Video shows death of poultry as a result of the bomson g by chemical materials

Fourth attack: Daria

Mohanad (resident in Daria) was poisoned by gases that targeted the city, he told us:

” On Wednesday evening on April 25, 2013 , Syrian Government’s Armed Forces shelled the city with two surface to surface missiles, shells targeted the southern area of the city and spread on a large scale not a small , you can say almost 2 Km (Mohanad added). The missile was almost 500 meters away from us, we thought it is was the usual shelling, and didn’t care. For us it is usual and frequent, this is the war waged by Syrian regime on us, shortly thereafter symptoms appeared: breath shortness, body spasm, corestenoma. Then we were transferred to a field hospital and cured by the doctor there. Nobody was killed, thank God. Animal and livestock in the area died, the cow that didn’t die had milk that turned green.
Dozens of residents witnessed the incident, even those far away. Since the launching occurred in the dark of the night, electricity in Darea was cut by Syrian Government for more than five months.”

Videos of the attack:



Physician testimony about using poisonous gases by Syrian Government’s Armed Forces during inspection one of the injury

Fifth attack: Ain Tarma town

On Wednesday April 17, 2013, Syrian Government’s Armed Forces shelled Ain Tarma town in Damascus countryside with poisonous gas bombs after clashes between FSA where they could hit a military checkpoint were centered on the entrance of the town.
Syrian Government’s Armed Forces responded with quick revenge by using poisonous gases, killing one victim and injuring eight others (free army and civilians)
Video documented the incident.


Sixth attack:

Sunday 9/6/2013 , Eastern Ghouta – Almarj area
Syrian Government’s Armed Troops shelled the Free Syrian Army centers with poisonous gases, injuring four civilians through suffocation. They were transferred to a field hospital.
Next video shows one of the injured inside the field hospital.

Damascus Governorate: 2 chemical weapons attack on Jobar neighborhood
First attack:

On Sunday April 7,2013, Syrian government’s Armed Forces shelled Jobar neighborhood in the capital, Damascus, with bombs containing poisonous gases. According to testimonies of a resident, Mr. Abu Adel, and activist Abu Wael. The attack led to more than 7 injured residents who suffered from the following symptoms:
Convulsions, respiratory failure, corybantiasm with dermatoxerasia, cases of bloody vomiting, eye pain accompanied with extreme mycosis, and chaos of their vision.
Appendixes and attachments
Video was depicted at the field hospital in Jobar documenting the symptoms of the victims:

Second attack:
On Sunday April 14, 2013, Syrian Government’s Armed Forces used poisonous gas, killing one citizen and injuring more than 30 others. A number of paramedics and nurses were injured while doing their duty to cure the others. Symptoms were: hard breathing, rubeosis iridis, chalasia, and passing out.

One victim: A young man, Ibrahim Darwish

The following videos shows poisonous gases injuries


Idlib Governorate: 1 chemical weapons attack on Saraqeb

On Monday April 29, 2013, a helicopter belonging to Syrian Government’s Air Force (who is controlled solely by Syrian Government) dropped bags that dispersed dust particles, causing 14 suffocation injuries. They were transferred to Saraqeb hospital.

Photos and Videos of the incidents:
– One of the rescuers who went to help those injured by chemical shelling on Saraqeb 29-4-2013

– Helicopter throwing barrels with chemical materials in April 29, 2013

– Soffocation cause chemical shelling on Saraqeb, April 29, 2013



– Chemical tank dropped on Saraqeb, April 29, 2013
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBd2g3RkJqcFZaa3M/edit?usp=sharing
– Injury caused by chemical bombs in Saraqeb, April 29, 2013
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBTVNPZkpFcGdWS3c/edit?usp=sharing
– Photo for the same Injury caused by chemical bombs in Saraqeb, April 29, 2013

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZlE5SG1QbkZTWmM/edit?usp=sharing

Legal conclusions:
The Syrian government, by using poisonous gases in different Syrian Territories, violated both International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, a prohibition of the use of poisonous weapons in all circumstances ever in armed conflicts.

Armed Rebels
We didn’t document any case of chemical weapons use or poisonous gases by armed rebels
Recommendations:
Human Rights Council

1- Give serious attention to the case of poisonous gas use.
2- Call upon the security council and relevant organizations to take upon their responsibility towards this extremely serious matter.
3- Pressure the Syrian government to stop using such type of internationally prohibited weapons.
4- Hold the allies and supporters of the Syrian government: Russia, Iran, and China, morally and physically responsible to the excess of the Syrian Regime in this regard.
5- Demand international weapons institutions concerning weapons of mass destruction to closely monitor developments in Syria and alert them of any potential breaches by Syrian Government.

Security Council:
1- Decide to refer all the criminals and others involved to the ICC.
2- Warn the Syrian Government Troops of the repercussions of using chemical gases on life’s future in Syria, and its impact on the stability of civil peace and coexistence of people in the same society.
3- Serious attention to the case and put it under continuously control and research.
4- Decide to enable an investigation team to move freely in Syria to make sure of the allegations of the use of these weapons.
5- Demand countries technically capable to apply satellite monitoring on chemical weapons and its warehouse in Syria, and to warn the Syrian Government if they proceed to use chemical weapons.

Arab League:
1- Demand the Human Rights Council and United Nations to give this serious issue the right attention and follow up.
2- Serious attention of this case and give it a high priority, and try to take care of families of poison gas victims.
3- Political and diplomatic pressure on the Syrian Government Troops’ main allies – Russia, Iran, and China – to prevent the Syrian Government’s use of poisonous gases, and prevent them from continuously providing cover and international and political protection for all the crimes committed against the Syrian people and hold them morally and physically responsible for all the excesses of the Syrian Government Troops.
4- Serious attention to the case and put it under continuous control and research.
5- Support local councils and families with protective equipment and precautionary means and medical materials to deal with such a disaster if it occurs again.

South Sudan Government Prevent Medical Aid to Thousands in Need

By Danielle Gwozdz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

JUBA, South Sudan – 120,000 South Sudanese hiding out in malaria-infested swamps cannot receive medical attention because the South Sudan government has prevented humanitarian aid from entering the outside areas of Pibor County, where the victims are hiding. The medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) stated that the thousands of displaced people will die unless the government allows aid in.

A refugee woman and her child wait for medication (courtesy of Thomson Reuters)

In early May, thousands of South Sudanese fled because of the fighting between the government and South Sudan’s rebels. Now the government’s army has refused to allow or facilitate the provisions of emergency medicines, food, and water to the displaced South Sudanese. Those hiding have no access to safe water, food, or medical care.

“MSF knows from years of experience in Jonglei that without medical care people will not be able to live for long and will die of pneumonia and other respiratory diseases,” MSF’s director of operations, Bart Janssens, said in a statement.

This time of the year is the rainy season, which means the area where people are hiding will flood. Also,  malarial mosquitos will be in the area and those sleeping outside will be easy targets for the mosquitos.

Aid agencies were in this area until May 10th, when security forces went on a rampage and looted several agencies’ compounds and homes, including MSF’s hospital. However, the army denies regular soldiers were involved in this attack, claiming a state wildlife force caused this damage.

Further, people are too afraid to walk into town to seek medical care because they fear being confused for rebels or being caught in cross-fire.

This violence began when South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011, causing widespread ethnic violence centering in Pibor County. The rebel leader, Yau Yau, is Murle: a minority ethnic group. Yau Yau launched a rebellion in 2010 after failing to secure a seat in the state parliament.

Now the Murle are believed to be angered by the activities of the South Sudanese troops stationed in the area, who are mainly drawn from the Nuer ethnic group, which clashes with Murle.

MSF has made repeated requests to the government to allow them to travel to the areas the South Sudanese people are hiding, but the government still denies them access.

“This will not be a place where people can remain alive,” Janssens further stated.

 

For further information, please see:

KBC (Kenya National Broadcaster) – South Sudan ‘blocks aid to 120,000′ – 16 June 2013

Africa Review – South Sudan ‘preventing aid to Jonglei victims’ – 15 June 2013

The Frontier Post – South Sudan preventing aid – 15 June 2013

BBC News – South Sudan ‘preventing aid to Jonglei victims’ – 14 June 2013

Thomson Reuters Foundation – Thousands face death in swamps as South Sudan govt blocks aid – MSF – 14 June 2013

Argentina’s Ex-President Menem Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Arms Smuggling

By Ellis Cortez
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An Argentine court has sentenced former President Carlos Menem to seven years in prison for illegally smuggling weapons to Ecuador and Croatia in violation of international embargoes in the 1990s.

Former Argentine President Carlos Menem says he is innocent.
Former Argentine President Carlos Menem says he is innocent. (Photo courtesy of CNN)

Menem, 82, is currently serving as a senator for his home province of La Rioja. He will not be jailed unless his fellow senators vote to remove the immunity he holds as an elected member of Congress. However, it is unclear how the senators would vote on immunity.

The ruling can still be overturned by Argentina’s Supreme Court, and, given Menem’s age, he would likely serve the sentence at home, invoking a right that nearly all prisoners over 70 have in Argentina.

Menem served two terms as Argentina’s president from 1989 to 1999. Prosecutors alleged that Menem authorized the illegal sales of weapons to Ecuador and Croatia between 1991 and 1995. Both Ecuador and Croatia were involved in armed conflicts at the time, and prosecutors stated that the weapons sales violated United Nations and Organization of American States embargoes.

In 2011, Menem told judges at a Buenos Aires court that his actions as president were “limited to signing decrees exporting weapons to Venezuela and Panama.” He had no idea the weapons shipments, which contained tons of rifles and ammunition made in Argentina, would be sent to countries under international embargoes.

Argentina was barred from supplying Ecuador with weapons because it played a peacekeeping role after Ecuador and Peru fought a brief war in 1995. Arms sales to Croatia were internationally banned during the wars that tore apart the former Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995.

The case against him and other government officials began in October 2008. An appellate court found Menem guilty in March of this year, overturning his earlier acquittal at trial in 2011. The appellate court said that much of the evidence had been mistakenly dismissed and that there was no logical way the weapons could have been smuggled without Menem’s direct participation and approval.

The appeals court called his defense “incomprehensible,” given evidence that customs procedures weren’t followed, and found that Menem’s brother-in-law, Emir Yoma, acted as his intermediary with the government authorities and others involved in the scheme.

Menem has also been charged with corruption in other cases, but this case marked his first conviction. The trial judges also sentenced Menem’s former defense minister, Oscar Camilion, to 5 1/2 years in prison.

For more information please see:

CNN – Argentina: Ex-president gets 7 years in prison for arms smuggling – 13 June 2013

Bloomberg – Argentina’s Ex-President Menem Sentenced to 7 Years of Prison – 13 June 2013

Reuters – Argentine ex-President Menem could face 7 years in prison for arms smuggling – 13 June 2013

USA Today – Former Argentine president sentenced to 7 years prison – 13 June 2013

Prominent Vietnamese Blogger Arrested for Anti-Government Comments

By Brian Lanciault

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnamese police arrested Pham Viet Dao, a prominent internet activist and blogger, yesterday for “abusing democratic freedoms” according to the Ministry of Public Security website. Dao has long been an aggressive critic of the one-party, communist government.

According to Dao, internet bloggers are the new journalists of Vietnam. (Photo Courtesy of Associated Press)

Dao has historically been critical of the state-run media industry in Vietnam, stating in a seminar last year that social media must “make up for the shortcomings and handicapped official media in the country.” He stated that with the advent of the internet and its rapidly increasing popularity, “individuals and bloggers have become journalists.”

Dao is a former government official and long-time member of the Vietnam Writers Association. He ran a website that posted articles, written by Dao, that criticized government leaders and officials. Dao had recently been vocal on several sensitive issues, including the Vietnamese government’s handling of China’s policy regarding the South China Sea, and the troubled economy. Since Dao’s arrest on Thursday, the website has been inoperative and locked down by the government.

Over the last three years, perceived Chinese aggression in the South China Sea have sparked extensive protesting and rallying in Vietnam. Activists were initially tolerated by the government, however recent demonstrations, which more aggressively dissented against the government, have been shut down by security forces.

The government has also come under intense pressure facing a stagnant economy. According to one economist, Nguyen Quang A, Dao’s arrest was an attempt by the government to send a message to the country to “shut up” and to put an end to internet-based criticism of the regime. Dao’s arrest came just  after the arrest of another prominent internet activist, Truong Duy Nhat, on May 26 on similar charges. So far this year 38 bloggers have been arrested on charges of “abusing democratic freedoms” and some 46 activists have been detained and sentenced for similar “anti-state” activities.

One government minister has issued a statement regarding internet use and the recent crackdown on internet-based dissent. At an address to the National Assembly, Nguyen Bac Son, Minister of Information and Communications, praised the benefits of the internet in Vietnam, but warned against its negative effects as well, stating that “recently, opportunist elements in the country and the overseas hostile forces have abused the Internet to spread information that sabotaged the country, distorted the policy of our Party and state.”

Neither Nhat nor Dao have faced trial yet. Bloggers arrested on similar charges have received as much as twelve years imprisonment. The government says that no one has been jailed for peacefully expressing their views, only those that have broken the law.

For more information, please see:

Reuters — Vietnamese police arrest anti-government blogger — 14 June 2013

BBC News — Vietnam arrests prominent blogger for ‘abusing freedoms’ — 14 June 2013

Wall Street Journal —Vietnam Arrests Prominent Blogger — 14 June 2013

Times of India — Vietnam detains second blogger in weeks — 14 June 2013

 

Prosecutor of United Nations Rwanda Genocide Tribunal Urges Cooperation to Catch Fugitives

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – At a press conference, Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow, Prosecutor of the (ICTR) and the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunal urged UN member states “to live up to their obligations to cooperate with the [residual mechanism], and the tracking and the arrest of these fugitives.”

Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow (Photo Courtesy of UN Photo)

The ICTR is based in Arusha Tanzania and was set up after the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. The Rwandan Genocide saw the killing of at least 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus in a span of three months.

The tribunal has indicted 93 people, all of whom were arrested with the exception of nine men who are still on the run. The nine men are, Augustin Bizimana, the Minister of Defense of the interim Government ; Félicien Kabuga, who is believed to have financed the genocide; Protais Mpiranya, Fulgence Kayishema, Pheneas Munyarugarama, Charles Sikubwabo, Aloys Ndimbati, Ladislas Ntaganzwa and Charles Ryandikayo.

Justice Bubacar Jallow’s call comes as the mandates for the ICTR and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia are set to expire and the U.N. Security Council has urged the tribunals to conclude their work by the end of 2014. The Council set up the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in December 2010 to take over any tasks left unfinished when the mandate for the ICTR expires.  The ICTR branch of the Residual Mechanism began functioning in July 2012.

Jallow confirmed that the trial phase of the tribunal’s work is completed and that the tribunal is currently focused on managing appeals. Five of the six remaining appeals will most likely be completed in 2014 before the mandate expires but there is one appeal that is not expected to conclude until July 2015.

Judge Vagn Joensen, president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, has stated that a main concern for the tribunal is relocating seven people who were acquitted and three released after serving their terms. The ten individuals are currently in Tanzania in safe houses under the tribunal’s protection. “The ICTR is deeply concerned about the consequences of failing to uphold the fundamental right of freedom to live one’s life after being acquitted, and the importance of finding host countries for these persons before the Tribunal closes cannot be stressed enough,” Mr. Joensen said. “We call upon all Member States [… ] to assist with this persistent problem.”

There is no time limit on prosecutions and when the ICTR’s mandate expires the IRMCT can be activated at anytime to try the fugitives when they are apprehended and precautions have been taken to preserve evidence and testimony against the accused.

Mr Jallow confirmed that even though the tribunal’s mandate is drawing to a close the nine fugitives if apprehended will still face justice. “There is no time limit to the prosecution of these cases. Your hiding does not pay off. The mechanism will not relent,” Mr. Jallow said.

The Office of Global Criminal Justice  is offering up to a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any of the nine men.

 

For more information, please see:

RTT News – International Cooperation Sought For Capturing Rwanda Genocide Fugitives – 12 June 2013

The Gazette – UN tribunals for ex-Yugoslavia and Rwanda won’t meet UN deadline to finish work before 2015 – 12 June 2013

All Africa – Rwanda: Despite Procedural Delays, UN War Tribunals Still Making Progress, Officials Tell Security Council – 12 June 2013

UN New Centre – Prosecutor of UN Rwanda genocide tribunal urges cooperation to catch roaming fugitives – 11 June 2013