Syrian Government ‘palpably failing’ to ensure safety of its people – UN human rights chief

“The way this deal was dangled in front of this battered and beleaguered population – causing them to hope they might indeed live to see another day – and then snatched away just half a day later is also outrageously cruel,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein said in a statement issued by his Office (OHCHR).

“Any evacuation of the civilians in eastern Aleppo must be carried out in compliance with international law. The Syrian Government has a clear responsibility to ensure its people are safe, and is palpably failing to take this opportunity to do so,” he added, citing that the buses ferrying evacuees were reportedly blocked by pro-Government militia.

In the statement, the top UN human rights official also emphasized the obligation of the Syrian Government to provide medical assistance to all sick and wounded people – civilians and fighters alike.

Also today, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria said that numerous reports of human rights violations perpetrated by pro-Government forces continue to emerge, including summary executions, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and forced conscription.

In a statement today, the Commission said the “Syrian Government in concert with allied forces now exercise effective control over eastern Aleppo, and therefore bear the primary responsibility for preventing such violations, including possible acts of reprisals.”

“Commanders within their ranks must ensure discipline of their troops, as well as hold transgressors to account,” it stressed.

It added that it also received allegations of opposition groups, including the terrorist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and Ahrar al-Sham preventing civilians from leaving as well as opposition fighters embedding themselves within the civilian population, thus heightening the risk to civilians of being killed or injured.

The Commission further added the “unrelenting bombardment” over eastern Aleppo since July had devastated all remaining pockets held by armed groups.

“Health facilities have all but vanished due to airstrikes, often targeted in order to devastate civilian infrastructure. Severe shortages of food and plunging temperatures have additionally contributed to the loss of civilian life, particularly amongst infants,” it noted.

Underscoring the need to discourage the “illusion that military victory is still possible,” the Commission emphasized: “All States with influence over the warring parties are aware that a return to political negotiations is critical to prevent further massive loss of innocent lives.”

Photo: OCHA/L. Tom

Source: www.justearthnews.com