syria

Syrian protesters.
IRIN/Martha Jean

Syria: Ban reiterates concern over worsening bloodshed as blasts claim more lives

23 December 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced grave concern over the escalating violence in Syria, including today’s explosions in the capital, Damascus, which resulted in more deaths and injuries, and reiterated his call for an immediate end to the bloodshed.
UNDOF peacekeepers on patrol in the Golan Heights.
UN Photo/Gernot Payer

Security Council extends mandate of UN force in Golan Heights

21 December 2011
The Security Council today agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights for another six months.
Syrian women protesting in May 2011

UN welcomes move enabling Arab League monitors to visit Syria

20 December 2011
The United Nations said today it is encouraged by the signing of a protocol paving the way for monitors from the League of Arab States to go to Syria as part of efforts to end the violence that began earlier this year in the Middle East country.

General Assembly urges Syria to implement Arab League plan to end violence

19 December 2011
United Nations Member States today called on Syrian authorities to immediately implement the plan of action proposed by the League of Arab States to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the country since a public uprising began near the start of the year.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay

As Syrian death toll tops 5,000, UN human rights chief warns about key city

12 December 2011
More than 5,000 people have now died since the start of the public uprising in Syria, the United Nations human rights chief said today, sounding the alarm that a crackdown and fresh eruption of violence could be imminent in one of the country’s key cities.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay briefs reporters

UN rights chief says Syria could plunge into civil war as more soldiers defect

9 December 2011
The United Nations human rights chief warned today that Syria could descend into civil war as more members of the armed forces defect, noting that nearly 1,000 of the estimated 4,000 people who have died in the bloody crackdown on protesters have been members of the security forces.
High Commissioner Navi Pillay addresses the Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the situation in Syria

UN Human Rights Council strongly condemns abuses by Syrian authorities

2 December 2011
The United Nations Human Rights Council today strongly condemned the continued abuses by the Syrian authorities as part of its violent crackdown against protesters which has led to the deaths of more than 4,000 people since March, including over 300 children.
Syrian women protesting in May 2011

Syrian crisis reaching stage of civil war, UN human rights chief says

1 December 2011
The deteriorating situation in Syria is now close to a civil war and the death toll from the nine-month crackdown by the country’s security forces against protesters has passed at least 4,000, the United Nations human rights chief said today.
Syrian women protesting in May 2011

Syrian forces have committed crimes against humanity – UN rights panel

28 November 2011
Syria’s military and security forces have committed crimes against humanity during their crackdown on protesters, a UN probe said today, urging the Government to immediately end “gross” human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice.
Chairperson of the UN Committee against Torture Claudio Grossman.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Syria: UN rights panel voices alarm at reported torture of children

25 November 2011
A United Nations panel today voiced deep concern about massive human rights violations in Syria, including the reported torture of children, as the Government’s violent crackdown against protesters continues.