Briefing of journalists in Geneva, office of United Nations Human Rights, OhchrThe spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani highlighted “credible” reports of “generalized violations and abuse, including summary executions and arbitrary murders, kidnappings, the destruction of private properties and looting of houses” in the city of UWEAIDA.
“Among the authors reported, there were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated to the temporary authorities as well as other armed elements of the region, including the Druze and Bedouin,” she said.
Many hospitals find it difficult to deal with the influx of injured, the United Nations Agency for Refugees Hcr also noted.
Forced to flee
Friday morning, colleagues from the OHCHR reported that clashes were continuing and that “many people were trying to flee or fled the region,” said Shamdasani.
The latest updates of the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office, OchhaThursday said that nearly 2,000 families had been moved to the areas affected by fighting.
Hundreds were killed since sectarian violence involving the Druze and Bedouine communities broke out on July 12, triggering an intervention by the Syrian security forces.
Shamdasani of Ohchr highlighted an incident on July 15 during which at least 13 people were killed when “armed individuals affiliated the temporary authorities deliberately opened fire during a family meeting”.
Brose an emergency meeting of the Security advice In New York on Thursday, the deputy secretary general of the UN Khaled Khiari also referred to the reports of “civilians, religious figures and prisoners subject to extrajudicial executions and a humiliating and degrading treatment”. He urged all parties to protect civilians and civil infrastructure.
Rumors and verification of facts
Shamdasani stressed that the United Nations Human Rights Office was trying to verify information by “field contacts … families of people who have been killed, eyewitnesses”, but that obtaining reliable estimates in the number of deaths remains difficult.
“There are a lot of circulating videos,” she said. “Some claim to be fighters who are in the region that film the abuses and the violations they make. We are trying to check some of these videos, but there is a lot of disinformation there and many things are used to encourage other violence to ignite tensions. »»
The OCHR spokesman also expressed his concerns about civilian victims resulting from Israel’s air strikes on Uweida, Dara’a and Central Damascus.
“The attacks such as that of Damascus Wednesday present great risks for civilians and civilian objects,” she warned, calling for strikes to stop.
Israel had launched strikes committing to protect the community from the Druze.
Violence and displacement have triggered “considerable” humanitarian needs, health and aid systems are struggling to follow, said William Spindler of the United Nations Agence for Unchr refugees.
“Many hospitals have been overwhelmed by the number of people who were injured in recent fights,” he said.
According to OCHA, the United Nations World Organization (WHO) sent enough trauma and emergency surgery kits for 1,750 interventions in the region, but many “remain not delivered due to access constraints”.
Since the displaced should flee from a very short delay, they desperately need essential – covers, jerry cans, solar lamps – but to provide these items was a challenge.
Too risky to enter
“We have this in stock and we are ready to deliver them as soon as the title allows,” said Mr. Spindler. “For the moment, this has not been possible. »»
He also warned of water shortages due to power outages. He said people are unable to buy bottled water or food due to insecurity.
The UNHCR has an office in the rural regions of Uwida and Mr. Spindler said he was concerned about the impact of hostilities on operations, infrastructure and agency staff.
“We know that humanitarian infrastructure has been affected,” he said, describing an incident on July 15 in which a Syrian Red Red Red Crow has been damaged by bombing.
The UNHCR spokesman called on all parties to the conflict to respect and protect humanitarian premises, staff and assets “in accordance with international humanitarian law”.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
