State of Qatar Confirmed that Killings and Terrorization in Syria Amount to Crimes Against Humanity

Geneva, June 01 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has stressed that the continued killings and terrorization in Syria amount to crimes against humanity, and require a firm stance from the international community to halt the killing machine which continued, in spite of all regional and international initiatives, to claim innocent lives in defiance to the International Human Rights Law, relevant United Nations conventions international norms. This came in a speech delivered today by HE Ambassador Sheikha Alyaa Ahmed bin Seif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, before the 19th special session held by the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and the killings which took place recently in the city of Houla. " In her speech HE Sheikha Aliaa said " It saddens us to inform you that the efforts of the esteemed Security Council did not come with satisfactory results. We are still to this day witnessing the killing, torture, brutal attacks and confiscation of basic freedoms, including illegal arrests and forced disappearance of citizens." She referred to the State of Qatar's keenness on supporting any regional or international move that seeks to resolve the crisis in Syria through peaceful political means, in order to preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sheikha Alyaa stressed in this context that the Syrian government, through its procedures and actions, has not shown the required adherence to the halt of bloodshed, killings, executions and the deteriorating humanitarian situation, which is seen on a daily basis in Syria, pointing out that this happens in spite of all the decisions issued by the League of Arab States, the United Nations General Assembly , the Security Council resolutions 2042 and 2043, which found international consensus, the mission of the Joint Envoy of the United Nations-Arab League Kofi Annan and the mechanism of international observers. She went on to say that despite the bleak scene, the remedy of the situation is still possible through the immediate cessation of all acts of violence and the halt of human rights violations by the Syrian authorities, stressing the need for the opening of safe humanitarian corridors for the delivery of necessary assistance to the Syrian people. " Within the same context, she called for immediate, comprehensive, independent and unrestricted investigation into the massacre that took place in the city of Houla to identify those responsible for the perpetration of these crimes to hold them accountable. Concluding her speech, Ambassador Sheikha Alyaa expressed full confidence that "the souls of the innocent elderly, women and children in particular, who were victimized in the massacre of Houla, appeal to the Human Rights Council to shoulder its responsibilities towards the issuance of a resolution ensuring that they are laid to rest in their graves in peace and protecting the lives of the Syrian people's individuals.''(QNA)