HRW Releases Report Condemning Human Rights Violations in Syria

Human Rights Watch released a report condemning the violent crackdown on Homs by Bashar al-Assad’s security forces and accuses the government of crimes against humanity. The report states “The systematic nature of abuses against civilians in Homs by Syrian government forces, including torture and unlawful killings, indicate that crimes against humanity have been committed.” Human Rights Watch also noted that 104 people have been killed in Homs since November 2nd, and ”Homs is a microcosm of the Syrian government’s brutality,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. Amnesty International also released a statement calling for the Arab League to press Syria to allow human rights monitors.

Human Rights Watch also encouraged the Arab League to suspend Syria’s membership and called for the League to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court over the various human rights abuses committed by the Syrian government. Despite international condemnation, 18 more protesters were killed today, 11 in Homs, as demonstrators took to the streets echoing concerns presented by Human Rights Watch.