Human Rights Watch accuses Syrian government of “crimes against humanity”

Human Rights Watch accuses Syrian government of “crimes against humanity”

The human-rights group, Human Rights Watch, released a 63-page report accusing the Syrian government of “crimes against humanity.” The report reflects the accounts of 110 victims and witnesses who claim Syrian forces killed at least 587 civilians since the start of the uprisings in March. It also references the torture of political prisoners and unarmed civilians, including the elderly and children. The report further addresses the arming of the opposition, indicating that some protesters and defectors have begun to fight back. HRW said this “highlights the need for the international community to ensure an immediate cessation of lethal force lest the country slip into bloodier conflict” amid concerns the clashes could escalate into civil war as a greater number of soldiers are defecting. Violence has intensified particularly in Homs since President Bashar al-Assad committed to an Arab League plan to end violence, with up to 40 people killed on Thursday. HRW, joined by Amnesty International, called upon the Arab League to suspend Syria’s membership and refer the country to the International Criminal Court. The Arab League scheduled an emergency meeting for Saturday to discuss options including suspension and the imposition of sanctions.

Headlines  

• The U.N. Special Tribunal on Lebanon will hold off on trying in absentia Hezbollah members accused of taking part in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
• Yemeni Republican Guard troops reportedly shot into crowds of protesters and tanks shelled residential neighborhoods in the southern city of Taiz, killing at least 10 people.
• Amid suspicions of increased missile smuggling from Libya, Israel is installing anti-missile defense systems on its civilian airlines to reassure public security.
• Dennis Ross, advisor to President Obama on the Middle East and Iran, will step down from his position next month. This comes six months after special envoy George Mitchell’s own departure and as Israeli-Palestinian peace talks remain stalled.
• UNESCO has suspended new programs due to U.S. withholding of $65 million, 22 percent of the group’s budget, and is launching an Emergency Multi-Donor fund to make up the shortfall.

Daily Snapshot

Egyptian fans of Zamalek club celebrate during a friendly football match against Atletico Madrid in Cairo on November 10, 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of Egypt’s Zamalek (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images). 

Arguments & Analysis

‘Egypt’s intense election eve’ (Nate Wright, Middle East Report online)

“International media gave young, Internet-savvy activists like those in al-‘Adl credit for sparking Egypt’s revolutionary protests. But in the months since, as the country’s march toward parliamentary elections turned into a slow and troubled crawl, they have become an increasingly marginalized minority. A newly empowered generation shook off its elder politicians in a bid to capitalize on their moment of success. Activists who played a leading role in the protests broke away from parties like the Democratic Front and Tagammu‘. Young members of the Muslim Brothers, frustrated by the group’s closed leadership, established four parties of their own and were promptly kicked out of the organization for their disobedience. “Most of the youth were frustrated within their own parties because the seniors saw [the revolution] as a chance for them to be in the spotlight,” said Shadi Ghazali Harb, a prominent activist who left the Democratic Front to establish the Awareness Party. “Youth were not given a chance to lead.” Many parties founded by young activists have struggled to get off the ground. Some have been unable to collect the 5,000 members required to register officially as a party. Groups that rose to prominence during the revolution, like the Revolutionary Youth Coalition and the April 6 Movement, have continued to mobilize demonstrations. But they have been unable to translate their public voice into parties with potential for parliamentary weight.”

‘Nuclear Iran, anxious Israel’ (The Economist)

“The arguments against an attack are still overwhelming, even for Israel. A sustained bombing campaign would take weeks and set off a firestorm in the Middle East, with Iran counter-attacking Israel through its proxies. It would do nothing to help regime change in Tehran. The economic consequences could be catastrophic. And to what end? A successful campaign would still only delay Iran, not stop it. The technical difficulties for Israel’s armed forces of carrying out such a broad mission over such a long time are immense. Indeed, the suspicion is that Mr Netanyahu would be betting that what Israel started, America would feel forced to finish. Barack Obama should make it very clear to Mr Netanyahu that he would not do that. At the same time, he should pursue two courses: pushing sanctions, on the one hand, and preparing for a nuclear-armed Iran on the other.”

‘Khamenei’s power consolidation gambit’ (Reza Marashi & Sahar Namazikhah, Al Jazeera English)

“Ayatollah Khamenei has a long-standing track record of political counter-moves that seek to secure an Islamic Republic governed under his rule. Throughout 2010, he strategised on securing his system for the future – doing so in silence. It is now clear that Supreme Leader’s hidden management team and Security Council has thus far been successful. What would have been considered shadow government structures fifteen years ago are now the governmental bodies running the Islamic Republic. The primary objective of the Supreme Leader’s power consolidation gambit is to ensure that all power centres prioritise executing his directives. Prominent conservative factions have accepted the central role of Ayatollah Khamenei and a domestic vision for Iran that is more Islamic than democratic. Iran’s opposition has accepted neither Khamenei’s central role nor his vision, but their options for pushing back are increasingly limited. Barring unforeseen domestic political upheaval, this is likely to remain the status quo.”

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