Syria: UN Human Rights Council Raises Death Toll

The UN Human Rights Council released an updated number of deaths in Syria, increasing the number to 2,900- an increase of 200 people. The report found that  ”the use of lethal violence against peaceful protestors by the Syrian authorities” had occurred, and called upon the Syrian Government t0 “launch a credible and impartial investigation and prosecute those responsible for attacks on peaceful protesters.”  Syria’s deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad roundly criticized the council for their findings, stating that “his nation is under attack from criminals who have killed 1,100 citizens with arms supplied by neighboring countries.”

Despite a Russian veto of the latest UNSC resolution on Syria, President Dmitry Medvedev was quoted as saying that “if the Syrian leadership is unable to undertake these reforms, it will have to go. But this is something that has to be decided not by NATO or individual European countries but by the people and leadership of Syria.” Protests continued today after Friday prayers as thousands of people took to the streets in support of the SNC and continued their calls for the toppling of the regime. At least 8 people have been killed, and the Local Coordinating Committees of Syria have also reported that former MP and opposition leader Riad Saif was beaten in front of Al-Hassan mosque in Medan neighborhood, Damascus. Below is a film showing the wounds Mr. Saif sustained after he was taken to the hospital for treatment.