14 mar 2014
A Palestinian refugee in Syria died on Thursday due to the continued siege imposed on the Palestinian refugee camps. The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that "refugee Hosni Hassan, 54, died due to the poor nutrition and the absence of medical care, in light of the blockade imposed on the refugee camps."
Meanwhile, the regular army and groups of the Popular Front - the General Command -have continued to besiege the Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, for the 8th month unabated, preventing the entry of food and medical stuffs.
For his part, UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said that "there is a state of insecurity and the UNRWA has been unable to provide humanitarian assistance, including medical aid and food, for about ten days."
An official in the Palestinian Red Crescent in the Yarmouk camp warned a few days ago "that the camp is witnessing a serious health disaster."
Meanwhile, the regular army and groups of the Popular Front - the General Command -have continued to besiege the Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, for the 8th month unabated, preventing the entry of food and medical stuffs.
For his part, UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said that "there is a state of insecurity and the UNRWA has been unable to provide humanitarian assistance, including medical aid and food, for about ten days."
An official in the Palestinian Red Crescent in the Yarmouk camp warned a few days ago "that the camp is witnessing a serious health disaster."
President Mahmoud Abbas met Wednesday evening in Bethlehem with a local delegation who handed Abbas money collected as donations to help the Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk refugee camp.
Coordinator of a local campaign dubbed “life artery” Abdullah al-Zighari handed 136,461 shekels to Abbas. The money has been collected by activists who have been recently touring Bethlehem area to collect donations for the blockaded Yarmouk refugee camp.
The governor of Bethlehem Abdul-Fattah Hamayil attended the meeting which was held at the presidential palace in Bethlehem in the central West Bank.
Coordinator of a local campaign dubbed “life artery” Abdullah al-Zighari handed 136,461 shekels to Abbas. The money has been collected by activists who have been recently touring Bethlehem area to collect donations for the blockaded Yarmouk refugee camp.
The governor of Bethlehem Abdul-Fattah Hamayil attended the meeting which was held at the presidential palace in Bethlehem in the central West Bank.
13 mar 2014
The Palestinian refugee Fatma Dawood died in Yarmouk refugee camp Wednesday due to the lack of food and medicines in the besieged camp, Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said. The Action Group said on a statement on Thursday that the number of victims in Yarmouk camp rose to 129 martyrs, pointing out that the camp has been under tight siege for eight months.
The sources added that medical staff at Palestine hospital organized a vigil following the martyrdom of the Pharmacist Diab Muhanna in the shelling on Yarmouk camp.
The shelling has targeted different parts of the besieged camp, causing the entire collapse of several buildings.
In Daraa refugee camp, violent clashes erupted between the Syrian regime army and Free Army Forces. The camp has been subjected during the previous days to violent shelling, in addition to lack of medicines and electricity outages.
The sources added that medical staff at Palestine hospital organized a vigil following the martyrdom of the Pharmacist Diab Muhanna in the shelling on Yarmouk camp.
The shelling has targeted different parts of the besieged camp, causing the entire collapse of several buildings.
In Daraa refugee camp, violent clashes erupted between the Syrian regime army and Free Army Forces. The camp has been subjected during the previous days to violent shelling, in addition to lack of medicines and electricity outages.
12 mar 2014
Akram al-Sammak
Two Palestinian refugees were killed Tuesday in Yarmouk due to the ongoing attacks against Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said that Akram al-Sammak had been killed after being injured by mortar’s shrapnel in Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp.
Two Palestinian refugees were killed Tuesday in Yarmouk due to the ongoing attacks against Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria said that Akram al-Sammak had been killed after being injured by mortar’s shrapnel in Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp.
Akram al-Sammak
Dian Mohanna, works for the Palestinian Red Crescent, had also been killed due to shot firing in the same camp, the Group added.
According to the Group, the siege imposed on Yarmouk camp by the Syrian Arab Army and Free Syrian Army is continued for 241 days. Preventing medical stuff and food supplies from entering the camp caused dehydration among its inhabitants.
Red Crescent pharmacist shot dead in Yarmouk camp
Dian Mohanna, works for the Palestinian Red Crescent, had also been killed due to shot firing in the same camp, the Group added.
According to the Group, the siege imposed on Yarmouk camp by the Syrian Arab Army and Free Syrian Army is continued for 241 days. Preventing medical stuff and food supplies from entering the camp caused dehydration among its inhabitants.
Red Crescent pharmacist shot dead in Yarmouk camp
Dian Mohanna
A Palestinian pharmacist who works for the Palestinian Red Crescent Association in the Yarmouk refugee camp was shot dead Wednesday, a statement said.
The statement, signed by chairman of the Red Crescent Association Younis al-Kahtib, highlighted that 48-year-old Diab Hussein Muhanna was shot outside Palestine Hospital where he worked. He was leaving the hospital on a humanitarian mission.
The victim left behind a widow and four children. He worked for the Red Crescent Association more than 26 years.
“Our organization lost five martyrs since the beginning of Syria’s regrettable unrest in addition to dozens who were injured while binding up wounds,” the statement added.
A Palestinian pharmacist who works for the Palestinian Red Crescent Association in the Yarmouk refugee camp was shot dead Wednesday, a statement said.
The statement, signed by chairman of the Red Crescent Association Younis al-Kahtib, highlighted that 48-year-old Diab Hussein Muhanna was shot outside Palestine Hospital where he worked. He was leaving the hospital on a humanitarian mission.
The victim left behind a widow and four children. He worked for the Red Crescent Association more than 26 years.
“Our organization lost five martyrs since the beginning of Syria’s regrettable unrest in addition to dozens who were injured while binding up wounds,” the statement added.
10 mar 2014
Papers strewn on the ground near a boys' school in Aida refugee camp on test day, March 4, 2014
By Graham Liddell
Thousands of students in Palestine are bound for summer school this year, but not due to failing grades or classroom misbehavior.
Instead, the children are paying the price for an extended squabble between their teachers and the organization that administers their schooling.
In February, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah brokered a deal to end a 66-day strike by Palestinian employees of the UN agency for Palestine refugees.
Though neither the UNRWA administration nor the workers unions that led the strike claim the deal as a victory, students have emerged as the clear losers of the bureaucratic standoff.
UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness says 97 schools were closed from Dec. 3, 2013, to Feb. 7 this year due to the strike, affecting over 51,000 students.
"A total of 28 to 30 school days were lost," Gunness told Ma'an.
In order to make up for the time they missed, students will have to attend school six days a week most weeks, as 14 Saturday school days have been added to the schedule. Additionally, Gunness said classes would have to be extended into the summer months, not ending until late June.
"A general decline in children's academic performance should be expected due the prolonged disruption of the school year," he added.
'The strike wasn't good for us'
Students in the Bethlehem area say they have already lost ground as a result of the strike, and now find themselves hurriedly cramming months of lessons into weeks. Soon after returning to school, they say they were tested on material they were taught before the unexpected two-month vacation.
"We started with tests right when we got back to school," 13-year-old Bahaa Abu Tarboush told Ma'an.
"We forgot the material, and we didn't even get to study the entire book but we still had to take the test."
He added: "The strike wasn't good for us."
A school principal and UNRWA teachers union member, speaking to Ma'an on the condition of anonymity, said the strike caused "a gap between students' progress and our school's curricular goals."
But the principal downplayed the lingering effects on schoolchildren, saying the unions agreed to end the strike "for the sake of the students."
"There are no problems," he said.
"The duration of the strike was for 66 days, but students only lost 21 school days," he added, calculating weekends, holidays, and snow days into the equation.
He stressed that though students would have to make up for lost time, they would not have to go to school every Saturday, and that they would not be attending full time during the summer.
The extra days will include "in-school activities to make it easier for students," he said.
By Graham Liddell
Thousands of students in Palestine are bound for summer school this year, but not due to failing grades or classroom misbehavior.
Instead, the children are paying the price for an extended squabble between their teachers and the organization that administers their schooling.
In February, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah brokered a deal to end a 66-day strike by Palestinian employees of the UN agency for Palestine refugees.
Though neither the UNRWA administration nor the workers unions that led the strike claim the deal as a victory, students have emerged as the clear losers of the bureaucratic standoff.
UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness says 97 schools were closed from Dec. 3, 2013, to Feb. 7 this year due to the strike, affecting over 51,000 students.
"A total of 28 to 30 school days were lost," Gunness told Ma'an.
In order to make up for the time they missed, students will have to attend school six days a week most weeks, as 14 Saturday school days have been added to the schedule. Additionally, Gunness said classes would have to be extended into the summer months, not ending until late June.
"A general decline in children's academic performance should be expected due the prolonged disruption of the school year," he added.
'The strike wasn't good for us'
Students in the Bethlehem area say they have already lost ground as a result of the strike, and now find themselves hurriedly cramming months of lessons into weeks. Soon after returning to school, they say they were tested on material they were taught before the unexpected two-month vacation.
"We started with tests right when we got back to school," 13-year-old Bahaa Abu Tarboush told Ma'an.
"We forgot the material, and we didn't even get to study the entire book but we still had to take the test."
He added: "The strike wasn't good for us."
A school principal and UNRWA teachers union member, speaking to Ma'an on the condition of anonymity, said the strike caused "a gap between students' progress and our school's curricular goals."
But the principal downplayed the lingering effects on schoolchildren, saying the unions agreed to end the strike "for the sake of the students."
"There are no problems," he said.
"The duration of the strike was for 66 days, but students only lost 21 school days," he added, calculating weekends, holidays, and snow days into the equation.
He stressed that though students would have to make up for lost time, they would not have to go to school every Saturday, and that they would not be attending full time during the summer.
The extra days will include "in-school activities to make it easier for students," he said.
Students close Bethlehem's Manger street in an UNRWA strike protest in January
Students at the mercy of 'stubborn' officials
With few structured activities crammed into two months off school, many refugee students found themselves participating in strike protests, and some in clashes with Israeli forces.
On several occasions in January youngsters from refugee camps burnt tires and closed main roads, demanding that UNRWA placate the unions' demands to negotiate the reopening of schools.
In January, dozens of youths blocked a main road connecting Ramallah to Jerusalem and clashed with Palestinian police in al-Jalazun refugee camp. Dozens were injured.
Asked about the youth's participation in strike activity, 14-year-old Ismail al-Qaisi said that "the strike was for the teachers, not for the students."
"We supported the teachers so they could take their rights from (the UNRWA administration)," said Ismail, who goes to school in Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem.
"But we're not responsible for the strike," he said.
Ismail also remembers that clashes between refugee youths and Israeli forces increased dramatically in the Bethlehem area during the time of the strike.
"There were clashes near (Azza) camp," Ismail said. "The kids from the camp participated, and even people inside their houses suffered because of the tear gas."
Meanwhile, the UNRWA unions and the administration were locked in seemingly fruitless debate.
The unions were demanding an across-the-board salary increase, while the administration insisted such an increase was not viable due to funding struggles. The unions demanded that 53 employees who were laid off in late 2013 be rehired, while the administration said the employees had reached the end of what was always understood to be temporary contracts, and that there was no plan to rehire them.
The unions accused the UNRWA administration of firing all employees who were detained by Israeli forces during their service, a policy which UNRWA claimed was more complex. A lack of agreement on these issues among several others kept the two sides from finding a solution.
"There was stubbornness from the two sides, from the administration and the union," the school principal told Ma'an.
"This stubbornness was a result of the conflict between the rightful demands of the employees and UNRWA's inability to fulfill these demands."
Ultimately, however, the Palestinian Authority played mediator and was able to broker a quasi-deal which ended the strike and set up committees to negotiate various disputes in the months to come.
Though the UNRWA administration and union leaders have both remained tight-lipped about the terms of the agreement, the school principal agreed to provide more details on the condition of anonymity.
The 53 employees that were laid off in December will be given "fixed-term, renewable employment," the principal said.
While Palestinian UNRWA employee salaries in Gaza used to be higher on average, West Bank employees will now be paid the same wage, he added.
UNRWA, however, will not change its policy regarding detainees.
The rest of the issues, including demands for an across-the-board, 9percent pay increases, will be put to "joint committee" discussions sponsored by the PA ministry of labor, he said.
In the meantime, Palestine's refugee students will do their best to catch up with their peers in government schools.
Students at the mercy of 'stubborn' officials
With few structured activities crammed into two months off school, many refugee students found themselves participating in strike protests, and some in clashes with Israeli forces.
On several occasions in January youngsters from refugee camps burnt tires and closed main roads, demanding that UNRWA placate the unions' demands to negotiate the reopening of schools.
In January, dozens of youths blocked a main road connecting Ramallah to Jerusalem and clashed with Palestinian police in al-Jalazun refugee camp. Dozens were injured.
Asked about the youth's participation in strike activity, 14-year-old Ismail al-Qaisi said that "the strike was for the teachers, not for the students."
"We supported the teachers so they could take their rights from (the UNRWA administration)," said Ismail, who goes to school in Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem.
"But we're not responsible for the strike," he said.
Ismail also remembers that clashes between refugee youths and Israeli forces increased dramatically in the Bethlehem area during the time of the strike.
"There were clashes near (Azza) camp," Ismail said. "The kids from the camp participated, and even people inside their houses suffered because of the tear gas."
Meanwhile, the UNRWA unions and the administration were locked in seemingly fruitless debate.
The unions were demanding an across-the-board salary increase, while the administration insisted such an increase was not viable due to funding struggles. The unions demanded that 53 employees who were laid off in late 2013 be rehired, while the administration said the employees had reached the end of what was always understood to be temporary contracts, and that there was no plan to rehire them.
The unions accused the UNRWA administration of firing all employees who were detained by Israeli forces during their service, a policy which UNRWA claimed was more complex. A lack of agreement on these issues among several others kept the two sides from finding a solution.
"There was stubbornness from the two sides, from the administration and the union," the school principal told Ma'an.
"This stubbornness was a result of the conflict between the rightful demands of the employees and UNRWA's inability to fulfill these demands."
Ultimately, however, the Palestinian Authority played mediator and was able to broker a quasi-deal which ended the strike and set up committees to negotiate various disputes in the months to come.
Though the UNRWA administration and union leaders have both remained tight-lipped about the terms of the agreement, the school principal agreed to provide more details on the condition of anonymity.
The 53 employees that were laid off in December will be given "fixed-term, renewable employment," the principal said.
While Palestinian UNRWA employee salaries in Gaza used to be higher on average, West Bank employees will now be paid the same wage, he added.
UNRWA, however, will not change its policy regarding detainees.
The rest of the issues, including demands for an across-the-board, 9percent pay increases, will be put to "joint committee" discussions sponsored by the PA ministry of labor, he said.
In the meantime, Palestine's refugee students will do their best to catch up with their peers in government schools.
A street in Yarmouk refugee camp crammed with Palestinians seeking food aid
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said that 2,081 Palestinian refugees had been killed until the end of last February as a result of the events in Syria, noting that most of them were killed during projectile attacks. In a report on Sunday, the action group stated that 870 of these Palestinian refugees were killed during shelling incidents, 403 victims were killed because of armed clashes between warring parties, and 123 died of hunger, and the others lost their lives in different incidents related to the Syrian war.
In a related context, Amnesty International on Monday accused the Syrian regime of using starvation as a weapon of war against the civilians in Al-Yarmouk refugee camp.
This came in a new report released by AI entitled, "Squeezing the life out of Yarmouk: War crimes against besieged civilians."
The report highlighted that the Syrian regime forces and their allies repeatedly carried out deadly attacks, including air raids and shelling with heavy weapons, on civilian buildings such as schools, hospitals and mosques in the camp.
"Some of the areas attacked had served as shelters for people who have been internally displaced by the conflict. Doctors and medical staff have also been targeted," Amnesty said in its report.
For his part, Philip Luther, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Amnesty International said that "Life in Yarmouk has grown increasingly unbearable for desperate civilians who find themselves starving and trapped in a downward cycle of suffering with no means of escape."
"Civilians of Yarmouk are being treated like pawns in a deadly game in which they have no control," he stated.
"The Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war. The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialized in Yarmouk," Luther said.
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria said that 2,081 Palestinian refugees had been killed until the end of last February as a result of the events in Syria, noting that most of them were killed during projectile attacks. In a report on Sunday, the action group stated that 870 of these Palestinian refugees were killed during shelling incidents, 403 victims were killed because of armed clashes between warring parties, and 123 died of hunger, and the others lost their lives in different incidents related to the Syrian war.
In a related context, Amnesty International on Monday accused the Syrian regime of using starvation as a weapon of war against the civilians in Al-Yarmouk refugee camp.
This came in a new report released by AI entitled, "Squeezing the life out of Yarmouk: War crimes against besieged civilians."
The report highlighted that the Syrian regime forces and their allies repeatedly carried out deadly attacks, including air raids and shelling with heavy weapons, on civilian buildings such as schools, hospitals and mosques in the camp.
"Some of the areas attacked had served as shelters for people who have been internally displaced by the conflict. Doctors and medical staff have also been targeted," Amnesty said in its report.
For his part, Philip Luther, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Amnesty International said that "Life in Yarmouk has grown increasingly unbearable for desperate civilians who find themselves starving and trapped in a downward cycle of suffering with no means of escape."
"Civilians of Yarmouk are being treated like pawns in a deadly game in which they have no control," he stated.
"The Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war. The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialized in Yarmouk," Luther said.
Amnesty - A new report by Amnesty International reveals that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been carried out on Palestinian and Syrian civilians in Yarmouk, on the outskirts of Damascus, which is under brutal siege by Syrian government forces.
The report, Squeezing the life out of Yarmouk: War crimes against besieged civilians, published ahead of the third anniversary of the crisis in Syria, highlights the deaths of nearly 200 individuals since the siege was tightened in July 2013 and access to crucial food and medical supplies was cut off. According to Amnesty International’s research, 128 of those who have died starved to death in the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has emerged.
“Life in Yarmouk has grown increasingly unbearable for desperate civilians who find themselves starving and trapped in a downward cycle of suffering with no means of escape,” said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
“Civilians of Yarmouk are being treated like pawns in a deadly game in which they have no control.”
The report highlights that government forces and their allies have repeatedly carried out attacks, including air raids and shelling with heavy weapons, on civilian buildings such as schools, hospitals and a mosque in Yarmouk. Some of the areas attacked had served as shelters for people who have been internally displaced by the conflict. Doctors and medical staff have also been targeted.
“Launching indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, leading to deaths and injuries, is a war crime. To repeatedly strike a heavily populated area, where the civilians have no means of escape, demonstrates a ruthless attitude and a callous disregard for the most basic principles of international humanitarian law,” said Philip Luther.
At least 60 per cent of those remaining in Yarmouk are said to be suffering from malnutrition. Residents told Amnesty International they had not eaten fruit or vegetables for many months. Prices have skyrocketed with a kilo of rice costing up to US$100.
“Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war. The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialized in Yarmouk,” said Philip Luther.
The camp has also had its electricity power supply cut since April 2013.
Despite the intermittent delivery of limited food supplies by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) during January and February 2014 – the aid that has arrived is still woefully inadequate to meet basic needs. Aid workers have compared the efforts so far to a mere “drop in the ocean”. Renewed shelling of the area has resumed in recent days cutting off deliveries once more.
“Deaths are mounting in Yarmouk and the situation is dire. It is extremely distressing to think that in many cases, lives could have been saved had proper medical care been available,” said Philip Luther.
Reports have emerged of women dying in childbirth. Children and the elderly have suffered the most. Eighteen children including babies have died. Complications have also arisen from residents eating inedible or poisonous plants and dog meat.
Hospitals have run out of even the most basic medical supplies. Most have been forced to shut down. Residents told Amnesty International that in some cases armed opposition groups had looted medical supplies and stolen ambulances from the hospitals.
Medical workers have also been repeatedly harassed. At least 12 have been arrested during the siege, often at checkpoints. Six disappeared after being seized by Syrian government forces. At least one doctor is believed to have died as a result of being tortured in custody.
“Targeting doctors or medical workers who are trying to assist the sick and wounded is a war crime. All sides must refrain from attacks on medical and other humanitarian workers,” said Philip Luther.
At least 150 people from Yarmouk have been arrested since April 2011, with more than 80 still in detention as of late February 2014. Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained solely for their political opinions or identity.
“The siege of Yarmouk amounts to collective punishment of the civilian population. The Syrian government must end its siege immediately and allow humanitarian agencies unfettered access to assist suffering civilians,” said Philip Luther.
A UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for all parties to the conflict to immediately lift sieges of populated areas, unhindered access for humanitarian agencies and an end to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, was agreed last month. But this has yet to lead to a tangible improvement in the situation of besieged civilians.
“The siege of Yarmouk is the deadliest of a series of armed blockades of other civilian areas, imposed by Syrian armed forces or armed opposition groups on a quarter of a million people across the country. These sieges are causing immeasurable human suffering and all of them must end immediately.”
Amnesty International is calling for anyone suspected of committing or ordering war crimes or crimes against humanity to be brought to justice, including through referral of the situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the Rome Statute of the ICC, certain acts, including murder, torture and enforced disappearances, amount to crimes against humanity if directed against a civilian population as part of a widespread or systematic attack.
The report, Squeezing the life out of Yarmouk: War crimes against besieged civilians, published ahead of the third anniversary of the crisis in Syria, highlights the deaths of nearly 200 individuals since the siege was tightened in July 2013 and access to crucial food and medical supplies was cut off. According to Amnesty International’s research, 128 of those who have died starved to death in the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has emerged.
“Life in Yarmouk has grown increasingly unbearable for desperate civilians who find themselves starving and trapped in a downward cycle of suffering with no means of escape,” said Philip Luther, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.
“Civilians of Yarmouk are being treated like pawns in a deadly game in which they have no control.”
The report highlights that government forces and their allies have repeatedly carried out attacks, including air raids and shelling with heavy weapons, on civilian buildings such as schools, hospitals and a mosque in Yarmouk. Some of the areas attacked had served as shelters for people who have been internally displaced by the conflict. Doctors and medical staff have also been targeted.
“Launching indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas, leading to deaths and injuries, is a war crime. To repeatedly strike a heavily populated area, where the civilians have no means of escape, demonstrates a ruthless attitude and a callous disregard for the most basic principles of international humanitarian law,” said Philip Luther.
At least 60 per cent of those remaining in Yarmouk are said to be suffering from malnutrition. Residents told Amnesty International they had not eaten fruit or vegetables for many months. Prices have skyrocketed with a kilo of rice costing up to US$100.
“Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war. The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialized in Yarmouk,” said Philip Luther.
The camp has also had its electricity power supply cut since April 2013.
Despite the intermittent delivery of limited food supplies by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) during January and February 2014 – the aid that has arrived is still woefully inadequate to meet basic needs. Aid workers have compared the efforts so far to a mere “drop in the ocean”. Renewed shelling of the area has resumed in recent days cutting off deliveries once more.
“Deaths are mounting in Yarmouk and the situation is dire. It is extremely distressing to think that in many cases, lives could have been saved had proper medical care been available,” said Philip Luther.
Reports have emerged of women dying in childbirth. Children and the elderly have suffered the most. Eighteen children including babies have died. Complications have also arisen from residents eating inedible or poisonous plants and dog meat.
Hospitals have run out of even the most basic medical supplies. Most have been forced to shut down. Residents told Amnesty International that in some cases armed opposition groups had looted medical supplies and stolen ambulances from the hospitals.
Medical workers have also been repeatedly harassed. At least 12 have been arrested during the siege, often at checkpoints. Six disappeared after being seized by Syrian government forces. At least one doctor is believed to have died as a result of being tortured in custody.
“Targeting doctors or medical workers who are trying to assist the sick and wounded is a war crime. All sides must refrain from attacks on medical and other humanitarian workers,” said Philip Luther.
At least 150 people from Yarmouk have been arrested since April 2011, with more than 80 still in detention as of late February 2014. Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained solely for their political opinions or identity.
“The siege of Yarmouk amounts to collective punishment of the civilian population. The Syrian government must end its siege immediately and allow humanitarian agencies unfettered access to assist suffering civilians,” said Philip Luther.
A UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for all parties to the conflict to immediately lift sieges of populated areas, unhindered access for humanitarian agencies and an end to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, was agreed last month. But this has yet to lead to a tangible improvement in the situation of besieged civilians.
“The siege of Yarmouk is the deadliest of a series of armed blockades of other civilian areas, imposed by Syrian armed forces or armed opposition groups on a quarter of a million people across the country. These sieges are causing immeasurable human suffering and all of them must end immediately.”
Amnesty International is calling for anyone suspected of committing or ordering war crimes or crimes against humanity to be brought to justice, including through referral of the situation in Syria to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to the Rome Statute of the ICC, certain acts, including murder, torture and enforced disappearances, amount to crimes against humanity if directed against a civilian population as part of a widespread or systematic attack.
A vast crowd of people queue for aid at the Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus
The rights group says at least 128 refugees have died at the besieged Yarmouk camp in Damascus as a result.
It says thousands of people still trapped there face a "catastrophic humanitarian crisis".
Amnesty says families have been forced to forage for food in the streets - risking being killed by snipers.
There were reports of fresh fighting on the edge of the camp earlier this week.
Yarmouk camp, which is estimated to house around 17,000-20,000 Palestinian and Syrian refugees, has seen some of the worst fighting in the capital.
It has been without electricity since April 2013 and most of the hospitals have closed after running out of even the most basic medical supplies.
"Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war," says Philip Luther, Amnesty's Middle East director.
"The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialised in Yarmouk."
Malnourished
Mr Luther described the siege as "collective punishment" of the civilian population and called on the Syrian government to allow humanitarian agencies immediate access to the camp.
Residents told Amnesty that they have not eaten fruit or vegetables for months and at least 60% of people in Yarmouk are said to be suffering from malnutrition.
The camp was created as a refuge for Palestinians fleeing the 1948 Arab-Israeli war but it became a focus of heavy fighting in Damascus in late 2012 when opposition fighters moved in.
The majority of the 180,000 Palestinians at Yarmouk fled what had been their biggest community in Syria but around 20,000 have been trapped inside since government forces cut it off in July last year.
Last month the UN Security Council agreed a resolution calling for all parties involved in the conflict to immediately lift sieges, but this has so far failed to lead to an improvement in the situation of besieged civilians.
The UN made some aid deliveries but these were halted when a truce between rebels and pro-government Palestinian militants in the camp broke down.
Source: BBC
The rights group says at least 128 refugees have died at the besieged Yarmouk camp in Damascus as a result.
It says thousands of people still trapped there face a "catastrophic humanitarian crisis".
Amnesty says families have been forced to forage for food in the streets - risking being killed by snipers.
There were reports of fresh fighting on the edge of the camp earlier this week.
Yarmouk camp, which is estimated to house around 17,000-20,000 Palestinian and Syrian refugees, has seen some of the worst fighting in the capital.
It has been without electricity since April 2013 and most of the hospitals have closed after running out of even the most basic medical supplies.
"Syrian forces are committing war crimes by using starvation of civilians as a weapon of war," says Philip Luther, Amnesty's Middle East director.
"The harrowing accounts of families having to resort to eating cats and dogs, and civilians attacked by snipers as they forage for food, have become all too familiar details of the horror story that has materialised in Yarmouk."
Malnourished
Mr Luther described the siege as "collective punishment" of the civilian population and called on the Syrian government to allow humanitarian agencies immediate access to the camp.
Residents told Amnesty that they have not eaten fruit or vegetables for months and at least 60% of people in Yarmouk are said to be suffering from malnutrition.
The camp was created as a refuge for Palestinians fleeing the 1948 Arab-Israeli war but it became a focus of heavy fighting in Damascus in late 2012 when opposition fighters moved in.
The majority of the 180,000 Palestinians at Yarmouk fled what had been their biggest community in Syria but around 20,000 have been trapped inside since government forces cut it off in July last year.
Last month the UN Security Council agreed a resolution calling for all parties involved in the conflict to immediately lift sieges, but this has so far failed to lead to an improvement in the situation of besieged civilians.
The UN made some aid deliveries but these were halted when a truce between rebels and pro-government Palestinian militants in the camp broke down.
Source: BBC
9 mar 2014
The Syrian regime’s warplanes continued on Saturday bombing the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria with explosive barrels. Working group for the Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that the warplanes bombed the vicinity of Daraa refugee camp, pointing out that the camp's inhabitants have been suffering from poor health and living conditions due to the difficulty of entry of food and medical supplies to the camp and the continuation of the siege and shelling.
The statement added that the Assad regime's military aircraft flew at a low altitude in the skies of Khan Eshieh camp, while sounds of explosions were heard when explosive barrels fell in an area near the camp
The group confirmed that the regime's army forces deployed in the vicinity of the refugee camps have been preventing Palestinian civilians from entering or leaving the camps, especially those carrying foodstuffs.
The statement added that the Assad regime's military aircraft flew at a low altitude in the skies of Khan Eshieh camp, while sounds of explosions were heard when explosive barrels fell in an area near the camp
The group confirmed that the regime's army forces deployed in the vicinity of the refugee camps have been preventing Palestinian civilians from entering or leaving the camps, especially those carrying foodstuffs.
8 mar 2014
The action group for the Palestinians in Syria reported the exposure of Al-Yarmouk refugee camp to several mortar and projectile attacks on Friday, with no reported casualties. In a press release, the action group also said that the humanitarian situation in Al-Yarmouk camp has become much worse than before as a result of more than eight months of tight blockade and the failure of relief efforts.
It said the residents of the camp slowly die of hunger every day and do not find nothing to feed themselves and their children.
It noted that the militias of the popular front for the liberation of Palestine-general command (PFLP-GC), one of the Syrian regime's allies, still refuse to end the blockade on the camp and facilitate the access of humanitarian aid to the refugees.
It said the residents of the camp slowly die of hunger every day and do not find nothing to feed themselves and their children.
It noted that the militias of the popular front for the liberation of Palestine-general command (PFLP-GC), one of the Syrian regime's allies, still refuse to end the blockade on the camp and facilitate the access of humanitarian aid to the refugees.
