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Syrian Revolution Digest – Friday 8 June 2012

THE COMMENTARY IN THIS PIECE DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF IMPUNITY WATCH.  

*WARNING VIDEOS MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES*

Genocide Foretold!

 

The killing will not stop unless it is stopped. We are now standing a breath away from full-blown genocide, because world leaders failed to act last year. By acting now they could still prevent genocide, but the wounds that have already been carved in our souls will take decades to heel. And if they failed to act still, then the blood is on their hands too.

 

Friday June 08, 2012 – This week is dedicated to the solidarity between the business communities and the revolutionaries.

 

Today’s death toll: 85. This is only a preliminary estimate, as the death toll from Daraa City is still unclear. The Breakdown: 18 in Idlib, 34 in Daraa, 12 in Homs, 11 in Damascus Suburbs, 6 in Damascus City, 3 in Hama and 1 in Deir Ezzor.

 

In Damascus City, clashes between the local resistance and Assad loyalists took place in the neighborhoods of Qaboun, Barzeh, Kafar Sousseh, Jobar and Mazzeh. Meanwhile, the pounding of old Sunni neighborhoods in Homs City continues unabated.

 

Muqtada Al-Sadr, leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq conceded today the possibility that members of his group could indeed be taking part in the crackdown against the democracy movement in Syria. If such participation is indeed proven, Al-Sadr said, then these members must be considered as defectors used by external parties.

 

News

 

 

Syria conflict driving more to flee homes-ICRC * Access to food and medical services hampered * Infrastructure needing urgent repair * ICRC, Red Crescent supplied food, medicine to 400,000 Syrians

 

 

Syria massacre: UN observers greeted by smell of rotting flesh The sight that met the first United Nations observers to visit the Syrian hamlet of al-Qubeir yesterday was of homes gutted and burned. The smell in the air was rotting flesh.

 

Gun battles rage in streets of Damascus Syrian army and opposition fighters clash in capital’s Mezze neighbourhood, as monitors reach al-Qubeyr massacre site.

 

 

 

Op-Eds & Special Reports

 

Along Syria’s volatile border, rebels, rabbits, and ambushes A Lebanese gas smuggler was killed in a Syrian Army ambush this week, snapping the patience of locals in the Lebanese town of Arsal. Another ambush targeted rabbit hunters.

 

 

Editor’s note: Hind Aboud Kabawat is a Syrian attorney. She is also a conflict resolution specialist and senior research analyst at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, which is based at George Mason University in Virginia. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Hind Aboud Kabawat: “I am a devout Christian, proud and respectful of the church’s teachings. But in the political realm, I am first and foremost a citizen, a citizen of the new free Syria. I believe that my fellow Christians will come to feel the same way. I also believe the same should be true for our Sunni, Alawite, Druze and Kurdish sisters and brothers.”

 

 

Beyond the humanitarian disaster that Syria has become, the strategic damage that could result from the nightmare scenarios that could transpire in Syria should concentrate the minds of U.S. strategists. If it takes American-led intervention to prevent them, then that is where discussion of U.S. policy should begin. Time is not an ally.

 

Over 750 rallies took place all across Syria today, with hundreds of thousands of protesters defying pro-Assad militias and risking their lives to reiterate their rejection of Assad rule. Meanwhile, Assad and his militias continue to wage war against the people.

 

Video Highlights

 

Daraa

 

Live Video showing the clashes currently taking place in Daraa City can be found herehttp://bambuser.com/v/2726290 Basically, Daraa is now the second Homs.

 

Daraa City: In what seems as retaliation for the assassination of Colonel Mohammad Aslan, one of the architects of the crackdown in Daraa province, loyalist troops today bombarded the downtown areas of Daraa City known as Daraa Al-Balad, killing close to 34 inhabitants, as of latest count – the dead and injured http://youtu.be/M_HfGhFh5_g, http://youtu.be/2pzUcf6Agvc , http://youtu.be/LhYPNvSmsA4 ,http://youtu.be/Hzq9oZhlZZY , http://youtu.be/9QQIVk2ImjQ , http://youtu.be/-dvNHzBcApk , http://youtu.be/rcAZEAJczrQ , http://youtu.be/OB5qcNqIQ5c ,http://youtu.be/vULg3g6YHC0 A child among the martyrs http://youtu.be/WG5jfg3lCKg The city gets pounded again at night
 Pulling the body of a child from the streethttp://youtu.be/XYJW9u1da4M

 

Earlier in the day, protesters in Kashef neighborhood clash with security http://youtu.be/zKPVy8CJx4M

 

The town of Kafar Shams, Daraa Province, comes under fire http://youtu.be/YJ16pA8J3Hk Sanamein comes under fire http://youtu.be/SOb0nfBZBRU

 

Damascus

 

The neighborhood of Kafar Sousseh, Damascus City, gets pounded at dawn http://youtu.be/oFyFjGKkg0g And throughout the day http://youtu.be/ShTsFw5nqb8 ,http://youtu.be/1moFHhd4_nA , http://youtu.be/q4ITnG5o8JE

 

 

The neighborhood of Midan comes under fire during the day http://youtu.be/TEL59KftZTYAnd at night http://youtu.be/xQ1DeguyM7c Protesters remain defiant http://youtu.be/MQAvSVPpVAw in face of the crackdown http://youtu.be/vePJ2y1OUss

 

The neighborhood of al-Qadam comes under fire during the day http://youtu.be/Fb7KdFdIFWw Daytime protesters in Old Mazzeh come under fire http://youtu.be/sYg03ij4F9E The suburb of Tadamon comes under fire from snipers http://youtu.be/tBqvP8BW8mM

 

Heavy nighttime clashes take place in Barzeh neighborhood, Damascus City http://youtu.be/1DrZe92o988 , http://youtu.be/XSJm-fZsahY Same scenario is repeated inJobar http://youtu.be/VCeqjoSaanI

 

Nighttime clashes in Douma, Damascus Suburb, http://youtu.be/NpIiOz7bJ3Y Martyrs http://youtu.be/7AfBPg6neIs , http://youtu.be/AdjdvkOD1F8

 

Jdeidet Artouz: Martyrs http://youtu.be/gtcidXEbiU4

 

Lattakia

 

Lattakia City: Al-Ramel al-Janoubi, a majority-Sunni neighborhood, comes under fire at night http://youtu.be/N8yawCUb6wo The same scenario is repeated in Sleibeh Neighborhood http://youtu.be/3lqRpR89h7g , http://youtu.be/6sR6c1Sja40 Earlier, a peaceful daytime rally is fired at http://youtu.be/WMvo6NochlY

 

In the town of Hiffeh, activists show the impact of the continuing pounding http://youtu.be/ru7OOTIXPgI , http://youtu.be/ftjA08w3GLA ,http://youtu.be/SCumjotY39c

 

Homs

 

 

Pounding of the nearby town of Qusayr leaves several dead and many injured, including this child http://youtu.be/0xa9iZYY94A

 

Aleppo

 

Protesters in Al-Shaar Neighborhood, Aleppo City, come under fire http://youtu.be/H0mjm22obOE

 

Protesters in Salaheddine, Aleppo City, come under fire but remain defiant http://youtu.be/r9YSiK1ksy4 , http://youtu.be/yiQJKWNRGXU

 

Hama

 

A new video of Qubeir Massacre http://youtu.be/WqfcLTmwEmo

 

Idlib

 

The video of the massacre at Hammameh which I listed yesterday, has been translated by the Guardian and can be accessed here for clarity:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/jun/08/syria-bashar-al-assad#block-27

 

Syrian Network for Human Rights: Massive Shelling and Violent Attacks at Al-Houla Leaves 107 Dead

Al-Houla Plains Flooded with Blood

On 25 May 2012, Al-Houla plains witnessed the most brutal massacre since the arrival of the international observers in Syria. Random shelling targeted the villages and lands of al-Houla particularly the town of Taldo which lies at the western entrance of al-Houla and is surrounded by pro-regime villages.

The shelling, which lasted for 14 hours, left 11 people dead and dozens injured. Subsequently, army and security forces along with shabiha from the villages of Fulla and al-Qabou stormed into many houses at the outskirts of Taldou.

Shabiha forces carried out raids and extra-judicial executions against all residents at the outskirts of the town. Children were handcuffed and gathered with many men and women who were all subsequently slaughtered with bayonets. Shabiha militias then opened fire on the slaughtered victims, acts reminiscent of the dark ages and the law of the jungle.

The preliminary death toll of al-Houla massacre currently stands at 107 victims whose full names and photos have been documented. There remain many bodies that could not be reached and documented as yet. Among the casualties are 49 children under the age of 10 and 32 women.

 

WARNING: SOME OF THE VIDEOS BELOW CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES

 

A video showing some of the victims of the brutal shelling and massacre, including very young children.

 

A video showing some of those wounded from the attack.

 

International visitors arrive in Al-Houla following the massacre and are swarmed by residents relating what has occurred.

 

The mass burial for the victims of the massacre.

 

For further information, please see;

Syrian Network for Human Rights — Special Report on Al-Houla Massacre — 26 May 2012

 

Charles Taylor, Former Liberian President now War Criminal

By Vicki Turakhia
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — After a five-year and  50 million dollar trial, Charles Ghankay Taylor, the 64-year old once president of Liberia, has been tried and found guilty of war crimes in Sierra Leone.

Then Liberian President Charles Taylor during the civil war. (Photo Courtesy of All Africa)

Taylor’s conduct in Sierra Leone has been cited as pivotal towards the harm caused to the citizens of Sierra Leone. His crimes included involvement in the murder, rape, sexual slavery, and recruitment of child soldiers. Charles Taylor was a rebel leader turned president of Liberia until his ultimate exile to Nigeria. During Charles Taylor’s time as president, he received blood diamonds for his participation in the killing of tens of thousands of people which he used to furnish weapons to the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

Prosecutor Brenda Hollis, found the actions of Charles Taylor to be “purposely cruel.” Hollis has stated that Taylor was involved in the facilitation of public rapes of women and people being burned alive in their homes. Taylor’s involvement also extends to the amputation and execution of the citizens of Sierra Leone, using decapitated heads at checkpoints.

However, the defense calls Charles Taylor a scapegoat for Sierra Leone’s self-inflicted harm. Charles Taylor provided his own argument for his actions by stating that he was bringing peace to Sierra Leone and he did so with honor, he further claimed that his trial had been unjust because his witnesses had been paid to change or recant their testimony.

Taylor declared that his actions were comparable to President George W. Bush, stating that it is unfair that the United States did not prosecute President Bush for his conduct. Courtenay Griffiths, Charles Taylor’s defense barrister, argued that the International Criminal Court (ICC), is being manipulated behind the scenes, strung along by politics instead of the steadfast law. Mr. Griffiths insists that the trial, while necessary, was handled incorrectly.

Despite, the defenses’ arguments Charles Taylor was found guilty on 11 counts of aiding and abetting rebel forces. The judges of the ICC were unanimous in their decision.

The prosecution has recommended an 80-year sentence, while the defense asks for anything that would be less than a life sentence. The prosecution has found the 80-year prison sentence is justified based on the Charles Taylor’s conduct and involvement in the Sierra Leone Civil War. Taylor is to be sentenced on May 30th with a right to appeal the decision. The loss of the appeal may result in Taylor serving a sentence in a British prison as the Netherlands has only agreed to house the trial and not the prison sentence.

For more information, please see:

All Africa – Liberia:Charles Taylor Gets Sentence Tomorrow  – 29 May 2012

All Africa –  Liberia: Taylor Begs for Merciful Jail Sentence – 17 May 2012

CNN – In His Last Stand, Charles Taylor Defends Himself as a Peacemaker – 16 May 2012

BBC – Sierra Leone Trial: 80 Years Urged for Charles Taylor – 3 May 2012

BBC – Charles Taylor Guilty of Aiding Sierra Leone War Crimes – 26 April 2012

Syrian Human Rights Violations Special Report: Hospitals in Hama

During the past few months, private hospitals in Hama witnessed an organized campaign by the Syrian regime forces which went on killing and torturing civilians and even pursuing them to the places where they receive treatment and withholding treatment from them. Hospitals receiving the wounded in Hama were attacked many times as shown by the following examples obtained by activists from the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

 

This video shows the effects of shelling on the façade of Al Bader hospital (which is a private hospital in the northern part of Hama in Aleppo Road neighborhood).

 

Premature babies are dying in the incubators of Al Assad medical compound due to power cuts and the inability to use generators after fuel supplies to the hospital were cut.  Al Assad medical compound is a public hospital in the north eastern part of Hama in Al Hader neighborhood; it specialized in treating babies and pregnant women.  The Syrian regime forces have occupied the rooftop of this hospital and used it as a vantage point to kill and terrorize civilians.  The hospital is one of the most important centers for the regime forces in this area.

 

A video showing snipers monitoring from their strategic vantage point on the occupied Al-Assad hospital rooftop.

 

Field hospitals set up by residents, and with the help of doctors, to treat the injured away from regime forces are witnessing massive shortages in materials, sterilization and medical practice.  Doctors and nurses working in such hospitals are subject to arrest and torture.  The most critical shortages in such hospitals are blood transfusion sacks which are imported and sold in Syria exclusively by the Ministry of Defence through state-run blood bank branches which are formally affiliated with the Ministry of Defence, in addition to the platelet separator only available at such blood bank branches. Many cases of deaths result from injury and the inability to provide the patient with the needed blood. Activists in the Syrian revolution are currently working to get such sacks into the country through illegal ways to meet the needs of field hospitals.

 

Videos Courtesy of:

Syrian Network for Human Rights – Special Report Hospitals in Hama – 29 May 2012

Colombian FARC Kidnap 13 Teens and Execute 13 Year-Old Girl for Desertion

By Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Columbia – In the southern province of Putumayo, 13 teenagers were pulled out of boarding schools by FARC forces.  The teens taken were primarily young girls.  They will now be forced to join the forces of the insurgency.

Teen recruits in the FARC forces. (Photo Courtesy of Latin American Herald Tribune)

Prominent activist and Andean parliamentary member, Gloria Inez Florez, reported the kidnappings.  She stated that the forces burst into various schools in the neighborhood and forcibly removed the teens.  Florez confirmed that the majority taken were girls, and that they were all between  the ages of 13 years-old and 15 years-old.  She could not confirm how many were indigenous.

“[Boarding schools] have become places of protection for school-boys and -girls, given the serious conditions of the armed conflict,” said Florez.  Unfortunately, this new practice, of securing children in boarding schools, appears to have come to the notice of FARC forces with the recent kidnapping.

The FARC’s recruitment of children is a violation of international humanitarian laws that prohibit the recruitment of children into armed forces.  The Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) sent delegates to confirm the situation and investigate the allegations of children being kidnapped from the rural communities.  ICBF director, Diego Molano made the statement that the agency’s findings are conclusive that there is child recruitment taking place in the southern rural regions.

Not only are the FARC recruiting teens, but the large majority of them are young girls, demonstrated by the recent kidnapping of the 13 students being primarily young girls.  A 13 year-old girl was ordered to be executed by the FARC leader in the province of Tolima because she had fled the ranks.  Upon her escape she said that she had fled due to mistreatment, including sexual abuse.  Her mother however turned her right back over to the group and her execution was immediately ordered.

General Guillermo Suarez, the commander in charge of the Southern Task Force in Tolima, hopes that the murder of the girl will act as a wake-up call to families in the area who willingly hand over adolescents in exchange for farmland, thus fostering the forced recruitment practices.  ICBF director in the Tolima region, Carlos Eduardo Buenaventura says that authorities need to conduct an in-depth investigation and punish those responsible, including the murdered girl’s mother for putting her at risk.

Ilva Miriam Hoyos, the prosecutor delegate for children and adolescents, made a request that the Colombian Victim’s Law legislation include a section on child soldiers.  The legislation allows for compensations to be made to victims of the long-standing armed conflict.  Hoyos hopes that the government will be able to make an exact determination of the number of minors working in the FARC and provide compensation to them and their families.

 

For further information, please see;

Latin American Herald Tribune – Colombian Guerillas Kill Teen Girl for Desertion – 24 May 2012

Colombia Reports – FARC Recruits 13 Minors in Southern Colombia – 21 May 2012

Hispanically Speaking News – Rebels Recruited Teens Against Their Will in Colombia – 19 May 2012

Latin American Herald Tribune – Colombian Rebels Forcibly Recruited Teens, Activist Says – 19 May 2012