Syrians in U.S. protest unrest in Syria
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Opposition activists: A sniper kills a civilian in Hama, and shelling rains on Homs once again
Saudi official: Syrian leaders are on “a campaign of mass cleansing to punish the Syrian people”
The Arab League pitches a joint peacekeeping force and support for the Syrian opposition
The Syrian regime dismisses the Arab League’s efforts
(CNN) — After repeated failures by international leaders to stop the Syrian massacre, U.N. diplomats are expected to consider a draft resolution Monday that would “strongly condemn” human rights violations by Syrian authorities.
But for every moment of chatter, reports of bloodshed among civilians intensify.
At least one civilian was killed by sniper fire Monday in Hama, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,an opposition activist group.
And shelling and gunfire erupted once again Monday in devastated city of Homs, tormenting residents who say President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is set on eliminating the opposition.
More than 680 people died last week in Syria, most of whom were killed in Homs, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists.
Members of the Arab League — which suspended Syria last month — called Sunday for a joint peacekeeping mission with the United Nations and urged member states to support the Syrian opposition.
The league said its members have decided to end its monitoring mission — which had been in Syria in December and January — to request a joint peacekeeping mission. Such a mission would oversee the aftermath of a cease-fire, the Cairo-based Arab League announced Sunday.
The league called on members to “open channels of communication” with Syrian opposition groups and provide “political and financial support.” It urged members to cut diplomatic and economic ties with Damascus “except for those that directly affect Syrian citizens.”
And it warned, “The use of violence against Syrian civilians with this extreme cruelty, including the targeting of women and children, lies under the jurisdiction of the international criminal law and requires the punishment of its perpetrators.”
The LCC said it praised the Arab League for trying to help the Syrian people.
But the Syrian government quickly shot down the Arab League’s efforts, saying any decision made without it “is not binding.”
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s office issued a statement saying Ban commends the work of the Arab League, but “stressed that action on the specific requests of the League will be a matter for the Security Council to consider.”
“The Secretary-General voiced his grave concern about the escalating violence, mounting loss of life and deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in the city of Homs,” the statement said. “All violence must stop. The Secretary-General once again calls on the Syrian government to comply with international law and immediately end the shelling and use of force against civilians.”
U.N. Security Council members have tried twice to pass a resolution denouncing the Syrian regime, but were stopped each time by vetoes from Russia and China — both of whom are major trade partners with Syria.
On Monday, members of the U.N. General Assembly are expected to consider the latest draft resolution, this one brought forth by Saudi Arabia. Vetoes are not allowed at the General Assembly, but resolutions are not legally binding.
It will be submitted to the U.N. General Assembly, where vetoes are not allowed, but resolutions are not legally binding.
The latest, three-page draft “strongly condemns” the violations of human rights by Syrian authorities. It cites “the use of force against civilians, arbitrary executions, killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence and ill-treatment, including against children.”
The text was provided to CNN by a diplomatic source on the condition that it not be posted in full because it could be amended.
For its part, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported Sunday that al-Assad has received a copy of a new constitution — a development it said shows Syria’s serious moves toward reform.
“When the new constitution is approved, Syria will have passed the most important stage of laying down the constitutional and legal structure … to take the country to a new era of cooperation with all spectrums of the Syrian people to achieve what we all aspire for in terms of developing our country to draw a brilliant future for next generations,” SANA quoted al-Assad as saying.
CNN cannot independently confirm details of the events in Syria because the government has severely limited the access of international journalists. But despite denials by the Syrian regime, virtually all reports from within the country indicate al-Assad’s forces are slaughtering protesters and other civilians en masse.
The destruction by al-Assad forces has also yielded a humanitarian crisis. Residents in Homs report scarce or nonexistent access to food, water and electricity.
“We are greatly concerned about the consequences of the unrest from a humanitarian viewpoint,” said Marianne Gasser, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s delegation in Syria, which led a convoy that entered Homs over the weekend.
Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers distributed food,blankets and other supplies to Homs and refugees in the city of Bhudan, according to a statement from the ICRC.
U.N. officials estimate 6,000 people have died since protests seeking al-Assad’s ouster began nearly a year ago. The LCC says the toll has far exceeded 7,000.
The Syrian regime has insisted “armed terrorist groups” are responsible for violence in the country’s 11-month uprising, which started after peaceful protests calling for al-Assad’s ouster and democratic reforms. Al-Assad rose to power 12 years ago, following his father’s three-decade rule.
But Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, like many international leaders, said the Syrian government is willfully slaughtering civilians.
“It is killing its people and destroying the nation only to maintain its authority,” he said. “What is happening in Syria leaves no doubt that it is not ethnic or sectarian war or urban warfare. It is a campaign of mass cleansing to punish the Syrian people and enforce the regime’s authority without any humanitarian or ethical regards.”
