6 feb 2014
Maan Ghubar
More than 400 Palestinian refugees are currently detained in Syrian prisons in light the ongoing crisis between Syrian regime and opposition forces, human rights group said.
Action Group for Palestinians in Syria confirmed that 360 Palestinian refugees are currently detained in Syrian regime's prisons, while 40 Palestinians refugees were detained by opposition forces.
The Palestinian Maan Ghubar was tortured to death in Syrian prisons, while Faiz Ahmed Khalil, a member in the Palestinian Popular Front – General Command, died of wounds sustained the day before yesterday during clashes with Syrian Free Army, the sources added.
Concerning the Palestinian refugee camps' conditions, the Action Group stated that electricity supply is still cut off in Daraa refugee camp for the 35th consecutive day.
More than 400 Palestinian refugees are currently detained in Syrian prisons in light the ongoing crisis between Syrian regime and opposition forces, human rights group said.
Action Group for Palestinians in Syria confirmed that 360 Palestinian refugees are currently detained in Syrian regime's prisons, while 40 Palestinians refugees were detained by opposition forces.
The Palestinian Maan Ghubar was tortured to death in Syrian prisons, while Faiz Ahmed Khalil, a member in the Palestinian Popular Front – General Command, died of wounds sustained the day before yesterday during clashes with Syrian Free Army, the sources added.
Concerning the Palestinian refugee camps' conditions, the Action Group stated that electricity supply is still cut off in Daraa refugee camp for the 35th consecutive day.
Children enduring the war in Syria have suffered terrible abuses, with the government and allied militia responsible for many killings, maiming and torture, according to a grim UN report.
Rebels have also recruited youngsters as soldiers and used terror tactics in civilian areas, according to the UN's first report on this area of the conflict that was released to the Security Council on Tuesday.
It detailed gruesome incidents of torture including children being raped or beaten with metal cables, suffering electric shocks to the genitals and having their fingernails ripped out.
"Violations must come to an end now," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in the report.
"I therefore urge all parties to the conflict to take, without delay, all measures to protect and uphold the rights of all children in Syria."
The report covered the period from March 1, 2011 to November 15 last year in a conflict that has now left more than 135,000 people dead.
It details a series of abuses Syrian children have suffered since the opposition rose up to try to depose President Bashar Assad.
They range from direct commission of abuse, including sexual violence, to more general violation of their rights, from school closures and denial of access to humanitarian aid, the UN website said, quoting from the report.
"The present report highlights that use of weaponry and military tactics that are disproportionate and indiscriminate by Government forces and associated militias has resulted in countless killings and the maiming of children, and has obstructed children’s access to education and health services," Ban wrote.
"Government forces have also been responsible for the arrest, arbitrary detention, ill treatment and torture of children," he added.
"Armed opposition groups have been responsible for the recruitment and use of children both in combat and support roles, as well as for conducting military operations, including using terror tactics, in civilian-populated areas, leading to civilian casualties, including children."
The report highlights the disappearance of many children and says all parties to the war have seriously hampered delivery of humanitarian assistance in areas most affected by the fighting.
Ill-treatment and torture
It also warned that children have experienced a high level of distress by witnessing the killing and injuring of members of their families and peers, or of being separated from their family and/or displaced.
The report details the detention of children as young as 11 for alleged association with armed groups by government forces in large-scale arrest campaigns.
It says youngsters were ill-treated and tortured to extract confessions or humiliate them, or pressure a relative to surrender or confess.
"Ill treatment and acts tantamount to torture reportedly included beatings with metal cables, whips and wooden and metal batons; electric shock, including to the genitals; the ripping out of fingernails and toenails; sexual violence, including rape or threats of rape; mock executions; cigarette burns; sleep deprivation; solitary confinement; and exposure to the torture of relatives," the report said.
"Reports indicate that children were also suspended from walls or ceilings by their wrists or other limbs, were forced to put their head, neck and legs through a tire while being beaten, and were tied to a board and beaten."
The report cites a 16-year-old boy as saying he witnessed a 14-year-old male friend being sexually assaulted and then killed. It notes other allegations that boys and in a few instances girls were raped.
The 16-year-old said children and adults were beaten with metal bars, their fingernails pulled out, their fingers cut. "Or they were beaten with a hammer in the back, sometimes until death," he added.
Allegations of sexual violence by opposition groups were also received, but the UN was unable to further investigate them due to lack of access, the report says.
Rebels have also recruited youngsters as soldiers and used terror tactics in civilian areas, according to the UN's first report on this area of the conflict that was released to the Security Council on Tuesday.
It detailed gruesome incidents of torture including children being raped or beaten with metal cables, suffering electric shocks to the genitals and having their fingernails ripped out.
"Violations must come to an end now," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in the report.
"I therefore urge all parties to the conflict to take, without delay, all measures to protect and uphold the rights of all children in Syria."
The report covered the period from March 1, 2011 to November 15 last year in a conflict that has now left more than 135,000 people dead.
It details a series of abuses Syrian children have suffered since the opposition rose up to try to depose President Bashar Assad.
They range from direct commission of abuse, including sexual violence, to more general violation of their rights, from school closures and denial of access to humanitarian aid, the UN website said, quoting from the report.
"The present report highlights that use of weaponry and military tactics that are disproportionate and indiscriminate by Government forces and associated militias has resulted in countless killings and the maiming of children, and has obstructed children’s access to education and health services," Ban wrote.
"Government forces have also been responsible for the arrest, arbitrary detention, ill treatment and torture of children," he added.
"Armed opposition groups have been responsible for the recruitment and use of children both in combat and support roles, as well as for conducting military operations, including using terror tactics, in civilian-populated areas, leading to civilian casualties, including children."
The report highlights the disappearance of many children and says all parties to the war have seriously hampered delivery of humanitarian assistance in areas most affected by the fighting.
Ill-treatment and torture
It also warned that children have experienced a high level of distress by witnessing the killing and injuring of members of their families and peers, or of being separated from their family and/or displaced.
The report details the detention of children as young as 11 for alleged association with armed groups by government forces in large-scale arrest campaigns.
It says youngsters were ill-treated and tortured to extract confessions or humiliate them, or pressure a relative to surrender or confess.
"Ill treatment and acts tantamount to torture reportedly included beatings with metal cables, whips and wooden and metal batons; electric shock, including to the genitals; the ripping out of fingernails and toenails; sexual violence, including rape or threats of rape; mock executions; cigarette burns; sleep deprivation; solitary confinement; and exposure to the torture of relatives," the report said.
"Reports indicate that children were also suspended from walls or ceilings by their wrists or other limbs, were forced to put their head, neck and legs through a tire while being beaten, and were tied to a board and beaten."
The report cites a 16-year-old boy as saying he witnessed a 14-year-old male friend being sexually assaulted and then killed. It notes other allegations that boys and in a few instances girls were raped.
The 16-year-old said children and adults were beaten with metal bars, their fingernails pulled out, their fingers cut. "Or they were beaten with a hammer in the back, sometimes until death," he added.
Allegations of sexual violence by opposition groups were also received, but the UN was unable to further investigate them due to lack of access, the report says.
28 jan 2014
Seven Palestinian refugees who died in the past few days in the besieged Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus were identified Tuesday by a Palestinian group based in Syria.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria identified seven victims in a statement received by Ma'an on Tuesday, adding to dozens who have already died as a result of deteriorating conditions and widespread hunger in the camp.
The victims were identified as Saadah Hasan Khattab, Saliha Mahmoud Ineisi, Muhammad Diab Muhammad, Muhammad Ibrahim al-Bitar, Ahmad Abboud al-Mousa, Muhammad Said Jarbou and Samir Hasan Taha.
The victims died of hunger and lack of medical care in Yarmouk camp, which has been under a crippling siege for months, the statement confirmed.
The statement also mentioned the high numbers of Palestinians currently being held in detention, adding that the group's statistics show that 391 Palestinian refugees have been detained in Syria, of whom 355 are detained by the Syrian regime, and 36 by the opposition forces.
Detainees include journalists, and humanitarian activists.
Renowned Palestinian doctor Hayil Hmeid has been in custody since Aug. 11, 2012. Syrian regime security forces detained Dr. Hmeid from his private clinic.
According to the statement, 137 Palestinian refugees have died of torture in custody since the beginning of the unrest in Syria. The latest victim was 70-year-old Osama Omar Abu Hashim, an engineer and renowned human rights activist in Aleppo.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, and around 250,000 Palestinian refugees have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Prior to the conflict, 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria identified seven victims in a statement received by Ma'an on Tuesday, adding to dozens who have already died as a result of deteriorating conditions and widespread hunger in the camp.
The victims were identified as Saadah Hasan Khattab, Saliha Mahmoud Ineisi, Muhammad Diab Muhammad, Muhammad Ibrahim al-Bitar, Ahmad Abboud al-Mousa, Muhammad Said Jarbou and Samir Hasan Taha.
The victims died of hunger and lack of medical care in Yarmouk camp, which has been under a crippling siege for months, the statement confirmed.
The statement also mentioned the high numbers of Palestinians currently being held in detention, adding that the group's statistics show that 391 Palestinian refugees have been detained in Syria, of whom 355 are detained by the Syrian regime, and 36 by the opposition forces.
Detainees include journalists, and humanitarian activists.
Renowned Palestinian doctor Hayil Hmeid has been in custody since Aug. 11, 2012. Syrian regime security forces detained Dr. Hmeid from his private clinic.
According to the statement, 137 Palestinian refugees have died of torture in custody since the beginning of the unrest in Syria. The latest victim was 70-year-old Osama Omar Abu Hashim, an engineer and renowned human rights activist in Aleppo.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, and around 250,000 Palestinian refugees have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Prior to the conflict, 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
27 jan 2014
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9 Palestinians were killed, seven of them starved to death, on Sunday in Yarmouk Palestinian Refugee Camp as a result of the continued siege imposed by the Syrian regime forces on the starving Palestinian camp for more than 195 days, that brought the total number of deaths to 73 martyrs of hunger.
The sprawling Yarmouk camp, in the southern suburbs of the city, is home to tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees and displaced Syrians who have been trapped under a year-long blockade. Dozens of children, elderly people and others displaced by the Syrian conflict have starved to death in a besieged camp in Damascus. according to credible reports. According to the Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria.”The starvation of seven Palestinian refugees from Yarmouk camp due to dehydration, lack of food and medical care among the refugees. The group explained that the martyrs are : Mahmoud Abdullah , Said Idris, Amira Mohammed, Najmah Qwader , Riifah Qraich, Rahmah Alian and baby Abdul Jalil Khamis. It pointed out that the old Abu Marwan died as a result of a sniper shot while searching for food in the orchards of al- Hajar al-Aswad area , while the body of Faiz Thiyabi was found near the Yarmouk University in Dar’a International Highway. |
22 jan 2014
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Palestine
With Syria virtually completely destroyed by its own regime, and with 150,000 -200,000 Syrians killed, hundreds of thousands injured and maimed and many millions displaced, the murderous gang of Bashar el-Assad has finally accepted to hold talks with the opposition in an effort to reach a peaceful solution.
However, it is highly unlikely that there is any modicum of sincerity or good-will behind the Syrian regime's consent to attend the Geneva talks, slated to take place Wednesday.
In the final analysis, a regime that destroys its own country, murders its own citizens and rapes its own women can't be expected to suddenly undergo an awakening of conscience.
The more likely prospect is that this sectarian regime will go all the way to the abyss in order to prolong the life span of its grip on power in Syria.
The Nusseiri sect, an offshoot of Shiism, accounts for less than 8% of Syria's population.
However, since 1963, that sect has been in tight control of the Syrian state, including the army, especially the elite forces, air-force, the security forces, the economy and every conceivable center of power.
The virtually total stranglehold was often justified by the confrontation with Israel. However, a more honest explanation of this insidious state of affair is the relentless overwhelming desire to consolidate the sectarian Nusseiri control, using the confrontation with Israel as a sort of red herring.
Hence, it is probably safe to conclude that the Geneva conference will die a natural death, like that of a still child, either before birth, or upon birth or soon after birth.
Indeed, if the survival of the murderous regime continues to be the ultimate strategy and paramount goal of Assad and his Iranian and Russian allies, then there can be no hope for a breakthrough in Geneva.
The survival of the Assad regime after all this monumental bloodshed and pornographic destruction would be a huge affront to human morality and humanity itself.
We all know that the proper place for Bashar el-Assad is before a firing squad. But perfect justice doesn't belong to this world. It is a world that allows its Assads, Hitlers and Sharons, even its Sisis and Mubaraks to escape unpunished for their crimes against their own and other peoples. This is really sad. It is also an expression of the moral imbalance and inequity plaguing our world. Only God knows where this moral imbalance and inequity will lead us. Certainly, it won't take us to salvation but to annihilation- all thanks to our greed, rapacity, depravity and evil-mindedness.
We all hope and pray that Syrians could reach a common-ground in order to save whatever can be saved of their nation and country.
However, the worst possible outcome of the Geneva conference would be the survival of the Assad regime.
Such an outcome would vindicate all the genocidal crimes the Assad regime and its equally criminal allies have committed against the Syrian people.
Moreover, the survival of the regime would enable the far-from-innocent Nusseiri sect to reconsolidate itself in power and tighten its sinister grip on Syria for a hundred years to come. That would be Syria's ultimate nightmare.
We are not against the Nusseiri sect per se, e.g. because of its religion, however heretical it may be. No one can play God in this world and all citizens must be treated equally under a modern civil state.
But we cannot escape the fact that this sect has effectively been at the forefront of Assad's genocidal blitz against the Syrian people.
And by readily accepting this nefarious role, the Nusseiri sect effectively put itself on a collision course with the rest of the Syrian people. We would be dishonest if we ignored or overlooked this fact.
I know it is politically incorrect to invoke sectarian issues. However, we all know that the sectarian dimension was conspicuous from the very inception in the Syrian quagmire.
And we can't pretend that sectarianism is not at the heart of the conflict, especially with the presence in Syria of tens of thousands of Hizbullah, Iraqi Shiite and Iranian fighters who are sent to Syria to murder Syrian children and rape Syrian women in the name of Hussein, Ali and Zaynab.
This evil is absolutely and totally unacceptable. It must be stopped.
With Syria virtually completely destroyed by its own regime, and with 150,000 -200,000 Syrians killed, hundreds of thousands injured and maimed and many millions displaced, the murderous gang of Bashar el-Assad has finally accepted to hold talks with the opposition in an effort to reach a peaceful solution.
However, it is highly unlikely that there is any modicum of sincerity or good-will behind the Syrian regime's consent to attend the Geneva talks, slated to take place Wednesday.
In the final analysis, a regime that destroys its own country, murders its own citizens and rapes its own women can't be expected to suddenly undergo an awakening of conscience.
The more likely prospect is that this sectarian regime will go all the way to the abyss in order to prolong the life span of its grip on power in Syria.
The Nusseiri sect, an offshoot of Shiism, accounts for less than 8% of Syria's population.
However, since 1963, that sect has been in tight control of the Syrian state, including the army, especially the elite forces, air-force, the security forces, the economy and every conceivable center of power.
The virtually total stranglehold was often justified by the confrontation with Israel. However, a more honest explanation of this insidious state of affair is the relentless overwhelming desire to consolidate the sectarian Nusseiri control, using the confrontation with Israel as a sort of red herring.
Hence, it is probably safe to conclude that the Geneva conference will die a natural death, like that of a still child, either before birth, or upon birth or soon after birth.
Indeed, if the survival of the murderous regime continues to be the ultimate strategy and paramount goal of Assad and his Iranian and Russian allies, then there can be no hope for a breakthrough in Geneva.
The survival of the Assad regime after all this monumental bloodshed and pornographic destruction would be a huge affront to human morality and humanity itself.
We all know that the proper place for Bashar el-Assad is before a firing squad. But perfect justice doesn't belong to this world. It is a world that allows its Assads, Hitlers and Sharons, even its Sisis and Mubaraks to escape unpunished for their crimes against their own and other peoples. This is really sad. It is also an expression of the moral imbalance and inequity plaguing our world. Only God knows where this moral imbalance and inequity will lead us. Certainly, it won't take us to salvation but to annihilation- all thanks to our greed, rapacity, depravity and evil-mindedness.
We all hope and pray that Syrians could reach a common-ground in order to save whatever can be saved of their nation and country.
However, the worst possible outcome of the Geneva conference would be the survival of the Assad regime.
Such an outcome would vindicate all the genocidal crimes the Assad regime and its equally criminal allies have committed against the Syrian people.
Moreover, the survival of the regime would enable the far-from-innocent Nusseiri sect to reconsolidate itself in power and tighten its sinister grip on Syria for a hundred years to come. That would be Syria's ultimate nightmare.
We are not against the Nusseiri sect per se, e.g. because of its religion, however heretical it may be. No one can play God in this world and all citizens must be treated equally under a modern civil state.
But we cannot escape the fact that this sect has effectively been at the forefront of Assad's genocidal blitz against the Syrian people.
And by readily accepting this nefarious role, the Nusseiri sect effectively put itself on a collision course with the rest of the Syrian people. We would be dishonest if we ignored or overlooked this fact.
I know it is politically incorrect to invoke sectarian issues. However, we all know that the sectarian dimension was conspicuous from the very inception in the Syrian quagmire.
And we can't pretend that sectarianism is not at the heart of the conflict, especially with the presence in Syria of tens of thousands of Hizbullah, Iraqi Shiite and Iranian fighters who are sent to Syria to murder Syrian children and rape Syrian women in the name of Hussein, Ali and Zaynab.
This evil is absolutely and totally unacceptable. It must be stopped.
21 jan 2014
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19 jan 2014
The United Nations considered that impeding convoys bringing aid to the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria may amount to a war crime. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said: “Over the past four months numerous attempts by the UN and other organizations to bring convoys of food and medical aid to malnourished children, women and elderly people close to starvation in Yarmouk, have been thwarted, and very little aid was getting through during the nine months prior to that."
Ms. Pillay highlighted that starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited under international law and may amount to a war crime.
She stressed that objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, are protected under international law, and added that "attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless such objects are prohibited."
A news release issued by the High Commissioner’s office (OHCHR) said there have been reports of a number of deaths from starvation, as well as from the consumption of rotten food, and because of the chronic shortage of medical supplies and expertise for sick and injured people and pregnant women trapped in the camp.
The UN added that the situation is compounded by the lack of electricity and severe shortage of water and that the civilians also continue to be killed by ongoing fighting and sporadic aerial attacks.
The siege imposed on the Yarmouk camp for nearly 190 days caused the death of more than 54 refugees of hunger.
For its part, Thabet organization for the right of return stressed that it supports and will participate in the popular movement, organized by the Committee of Palestinians of Syria in Lebanon in collaboration with civil and human rights institutions in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Yarmouk camp.
Thabet in a statement called for putting an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Syria camps, lifting the Yarmouk siege, and neutralizing the camps in the ongoing conflict.
It has also asked the international community and the United Nations organizations, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNRWA, to take serious moves and find means of channeling humanitarian aid to the camp.
The organization called on the United Nations to intervene to lift the siege on the Yarmouk refugee camp and other camps and urged the Arab League to shoulder its responsibilities and protect civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and 50 other international human rights organizations, in a joint statement, called on the participants in the Geneva meetings 2 to lift the siege imposed on the Yarmouk camp.
Ms. Pillay highlighted that starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited under international law and may amount to a war crime.
She stressed that objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works, are protected under international law, and added that "attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless such objects are prohibited."
A news release issued by the High Commissioner’s office (OHCHR) said there have been reports of a number of deaths from starvation, as well as from the consumption of rotten food, and because of the chronic shortage of medical supplies and expertise for sick and injured people and pregnant women trapped in the camp.
The UN added that the situation is compounded by the lack of electricity and severe shortage of water and that the civilians also continue to be killed by ongoing fighting and sporadic aerial attacks.
The siege imposed on the Yarmouk camp for nearly 190 days caused the death of more than 54 refugees of hunger.
For its part, Thabet organization for the right of return stressed that it supports and will participate in the popular movement, organized by the Committee of Palestinians of Syria in Lebanon in collaboration with civil and human rights institutions in solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Yarmouk camp.
Thabet in a statement called for putting an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Syria camps, lifting the Yarmouk siege, and neutralizing the camps in the ongoing conflict.
It has also asked the international community and the United Nations organizations, especially the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNRWA, to take serious moves and find means of channeling humanitarian aid to the camp.
The organization called on the United Nations to intervene to lift the siege on the Yarmouk refugee camp and other camps and urged the Arab League to shoulder its responsibilities and protect civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and 50 other international human rights organizations, in a joint statement, called on the participants in the Geneva meetings 2 to lift the siege imposed on the Yarmouk camp.
18 jan 2014
Mohammad Omar Shehabi
Four Palestinian refugees were killed in Syria on Friday as a result of the ongoing shelling and siege on their refugee camps and due to starvation. The work group for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement on Saturday that Mohammed Sehabi from Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, was killed at the hands of a sniper in Al-Hajar Al-Aswad nearby area where he was collecting vegetables.
It added that Zaher Hasan was killed in the shelling on the Yarmouk camp.
Ismail Abdullah died of health complications due to the absence of medical services in Yarmouk camp while the woman Najah Mohammed died of dehydration and malnutrition, the group said.
It said that a number of shells fell on the Diraa refugee camp causing only material damage, adding that the incident coincided with violent confrontations between the Syrian regular and free armies a the outskirts of the camp.
Four Palestinian refugees were killed in Syria on Friday as a result of the ongoing shelling and siege on their refugee camps and due to starvation. The work group for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement on Saturday that Mohammed Sehabi from Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, was killed at the hands of a sniper in Al-Hajar Al-Aswad nearby area where he was collecting vegetables.
It added that Zaher Hasan was killed in the shelling on the Yarmouk camp.
Ismail Abdullah died of health complications due to the absence of medical services in Yarmouk camp while the woman Najah Mohammed died of dehydration and malnutrition, the group said.
It said that a number of shells fell on the Diraa refugee camp causing only material damage, adding that the incident coincided with violent confrontations between the Syrian regular and free armies a the outskirts of the camp.
16 jan 2014
Palestinian NGO Network (PNGO) said that the siege imposed on the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria and the prevention of the entry of aid convoys have caused the death of big numbers of refugees. The Network said in a statement on Thursday that hundreds of victims died in the Yarmouk camp, due to the continued shelling and the systematic blockade that caused starvation and the spread of diseases.
It stressed that exposing the Palestinian refugees to shelling and siege, by the forces of the Syrian army or other armed groups, is a crime against humanity.
The PNGO also stressed that the international refugee law has provided comprehensive protection for refugees, and urged the UN Relief and Works Agency "UNRWA" to shoulder its responsibilities and protect the Palestinian refugees.
It also called on the international community to immediately intervene to lift the siege on the Yarmouk camp, and address the humanitarian crisis inside it by providing humanitarian and medical services for the besieged people.
The Yarmouk camp has been exposed to a genocidal and continuous blockade since July 2013. Dozens of refugees died of hunger, while thousands have been displaced as a result of the ongoing shelling.
It stressed that exposing the Palestinian refugees to shelling and siege, by the forces of the Syrian army or other armed groups, is a crime against humanity.
The PNGO also stressed that the international refugee law has provided comprehensive protection for refugees, and urged the UN Relief and Works Agency "UNRWA" to shoulder its responsibilities and protect the Palestinian refugees.
It also called on the international community to immediately intervene to lift the siege on the Yarmouk camp, and address the humanitarian crisis inside it by providing humanitarian and medical services for the besieged people.
The Yarmouk camp has been exposed to a genocidal and continuous blockade since July 2013. Dozens of refugees died of hunger, while thousands have been displaced as a result of the ongoing shelling.
14 jan 2014
A Syria-based group on Tuesday identified a number of Palestinian refugees who have either died of hunger or have been killed in two refugee camps near Damascus in recent days.
The workforce for the Palestinians in Syria said in a statement received by Ma'an on Tuesday that 80-year-old Jamil al-Qurabi, 40-year-old Hasan Shihabi and a 50-year-old woman identified only as Noor had died of malnutrition in the besieged Yarmouk refugee camp in recent days.
The group added that 10-year-old Mahmoud al-Sabbagh, 19-year-old Majid Imad Awad and Ziad al-Naji were shot dead while participating in a rally protesting the ongoing blockade on the camp.
The deaths come amid a number of attempts by the PLO to deliver supplies to the blockaded camp that have been thwarted by militant groups inside.
Separately, Muhammad Ibrahim Dhahir from Khan al-Sheikh refugee camp southwest of Damascus died of torture in Syrian regime custody.
Additionally, Hasan Younis Nofal was killed by an explosive barrel which landed near his house in the camp.
The group quoted locals in Khan Al-Sheikh camp as saying that two explosive barrels had landed in the camp.
Locals highlighted that the attack was unexpected given that no militant groups are currently operating in the camp, and they expressed their fear that the Yarmouk camp crisis might be repeated in Khan Al-Sheikh.
On Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that 41 Palestinians had died so far as a result of food and medicine shortages.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
Fatah leader Abbas Zaki told Ma'an in October that Yarmouk's population of 250,000 had dwindled to 18,000 after two and a half years of conflict in Syria.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 130,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
The workforce for the Palestinians in Syria said in a statement received by Ma'an on Tuesday that 80-year-old Jamil al-Qurabi, 40-year-old Hasan Shihabi and a 50-year-old woman identified only as Noor had died of malnutrition in the besieged Yarmouk refugee camp in recent days.
The group added that 10-year-old Mahmoud al-Sabbagh, 19-year-old Majid Imad Awad and Ziad al-Naji were shot dead while participating in a rally protesting the ongoing blockade on the camp.
The deaths come amid a number of attempts by the PLO to deliver supplies to the blockaded camp that have been thwarted by militant groups inside.
Separately, Muhammad Ibrahim Dhahir from Khan al-Sheikh refugee camp southwest of Damascus died of torture in Syrian regime custody.
Additionally, Hasan Younis Nofal was killed by an explosive barrel which landed near his house in the camp.
The group quoted locals in Khan Al-Sheikh camp as saying that two explosive barrels had landed in the camp.
Locals highlighted that the attack was unexpected given that no militant groups are currently operating in the camp, and they expressed their fear that the Yarmouk camp crisis might be repeated in Khan Al-Sheikh.
On Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that 41 Palestinians had died so far as a result of food and medicine shortages.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
Fatah leader Abbas Zaki told Ma'an in October that Yarmouk's population of 250,000 had dwindled to 18,000 after two and a half years of conflict in Syria.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 130,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
6 jan 2014
223 Palestinian refugees were killed in Syria by Syrian regime army snipers since the beginning of Syria turmoil , Palestinian Action group for Palestinians of Syria reported. The group mentioned in a statement that the last victim was a Palestinian girl child called Falstine Omer from Yarmouk camp.
The lives of thousands of Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp in Damascus are at risk due to the ongoing siege on the camp by Syrian regime forces.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault. Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
The lives of thousands of Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp in Damascus are at risk due to the ongoing siege on the camp by Syrian regime forces.
After rebels seized control of Yarmouk in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault. Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
4 jan 2014
Five Palestinian refugees were killed Friday in Syria as a result of the continued bombing of the refugee camps in Damascus, the Workforce for Palestinians group in Syria said. Nawras Shehabi and Nasser Ibrahim died of wounds they sustained in an airstrike that hit Khan al-Shieh refugee camp, the group said in a statement.
While "Majdoleen Rashdan and Majed Suwaid died from hunger in al- Yarmouk refugee camp and Wael Mahmoud under torture in Sbeina refugee camp,"
The statement added that Syria army aircrafts flied over the Palestinian refugee camps in early morning, pointing out that thundering explosions were heard in Khan al-Shieh camp due to the bombing of the adjacent areas.
The siege on al-Yarmouk refugee camp has been effective for 174 days in a row, which led to medicines and food stuffs running out.
On December 30, the group announced the death of eight Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk refugee camp due to hunger and unstopped shelling on the besieged camp.
Youth Initiative for Supporting Refugees in Gaza organized on Sunday evening a solidarity sit-in to support the Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp.
Several Palestinian families who came from Syria, and human right activists participated in the sit-in.
“ We, the people of the Gaza Strip, support our families and brothers in Syria and we will not hesitate to help them with all possible means,” the chairman of the initiative Mostafa Mater said.
He affirmed that the Palestinians in Syria don’t need denunciations, they need real actions to put an end for their suffering.
While "Majdoleen Rashdan and Majed Suwaid died from hunger in al- Yarmouk refugee camp and Wael Mahmoud under torture in Sbeina refugee camp,"
The statement added that Syria army aircrafts flied over the Palestinian refugee camps in early morning, pointing out that thundering explosions were heard in Khan al-Shieh camp due to the bombing of the adjacent areas.
The siege on al-Yarmouk refugee camp has been effective for 174 days in a row, which led to medicines and food stuffs running out.
On December 30, the group announced the death of eight Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk refugee camp due to hunger and unstopped shelling on the besieged camp.
Youth Initiative for Supporting Refugees in Gaza organized on Sunday evening a solidarity sit-in to support the Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk camp.
Several Palestinian families who came from Syria, and human right activists participated in the sit-in.
“ We, the people of the Gaza Strip, support our families and brothers in Syria and we will not hesitate to help them with all possible means,” the chairman of the initiative Mostafa Mater said.
He affirmed that the Palestinians in Syria don’t need denunciations, they need real actions to put an end for their suffering.
1 jan 2014
At least 15 Palestinians have died of hunger, since September, in a besieged refugee camp in the Syrian capital of Damascus, according to UN sources. (Palestinian News Network/AFP)
“Reports have come in over the weekend that at least five Palestinian refugees in the besieged refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus have died because of malnutrition, bringing the total number of reported cases to 15,” UN Relief and Works Agency spokesman Chris Gunness told AFP.
He went on to warn of a deteriorating situation in the camp, where some 20,000 Palestinians are trapped, with limited food and medical supplies.
According to the PNN, most of Yarmouk camp, in southern Damascus, is under the control of the armed opposition, and it has been under siege by Assad loyalists for about a year.
The blockade has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, and the exodus of tens of thousands of the camp’s 170,000 residents.
Furthermore, on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights NGO reported that five people in the camp had died of malnutrition, including an elderly man, a disabled man and one woman.
UNRWA chief Filippo Grandi warned, earlier this month, "If this situation is not addressed urgently, it may be too late to save the lives of thousands of people including children.”
Syria is now officially home to nearly 500,000 Palestinian refugees, about half of whom have been displaced by the conflict which broke out in March of 2011, becoming refugees for the second time.
More than 126,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict.
“Reports have come in over the weekend that at least five Palestinian refugees in the besieged refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus have died because of malnutrition, bringing the total number of reported cases to 15,” UN Relief and Works Agency spokesman Chris Gunness told AFP.
He went on to warn of a deteriorating situation in the camp, where some 20,000 Palestinians are trapped, with limited food and medical supplies.
According to the PNN, most of Yarmouk camp, in southern Damascus, is under the control of the armed opposition, and it has been under siege by Assad loyalists for about a year.
The blockade has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, and the exodus of tens of thousands of the camp’s 170,000 residents.
Furthermore, on Friday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights NGO reported that five people in the camp had died of malnutrition, including an elderly man, a disabled man and one woman.
UNRWA chief Filippo Grandi warned, earlier this month, "If this situation is not addressed urgently, it may be too late to save the lives of thousands of people including children.”
Syria is now officially home to nearly 500,000 Palestinian refugees, about half of whom have been displaced by the conflict which broke out in March of 2011, becoming refugees for the second time.
More than 126,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict.
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