UN: 'monstrous disregard for civilian lives' in Syria as hospitals and markets bombed

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Friday said the latest reports of civilian deaths and injuries, including bombings of Syrian marketplaces and medical facilities, revealed a “monstrous disregard for civilian lives by all parties to the conflict,” and urged all sides to step back from a return to all-out war.

“Reports are coming in from Aleppo, Homs, Damascus and Rural Damascus, Idleb and Deir ez-Zour of mounting civilian casualties,” Zeid said. “In Idleb last week, on 19 April, bombs were reportedly dropped in a vegetable market in Maarat al-Nu’man, the busiest area in town, during the busiest part of the day, killing at least 44 people and destroying dozens of shops. In the town of Kafr Nabel, bombs were again dropped on a market in the busiest area of the town, narrowly missing an after-school centre containing 50 children aged 6 to 10.”

“In the opposition-controlled part of Aleppo over the past few days, pro-Government aircraft have destroyed a key hospital and other medical facilities reportedly killing a number of medical personnel, including the only remaining paediatrician in the area, as well as many patients. In the Government-controlled part of Aleppo, another hospital was struck and many civilians killed in attacks launched in a number of neighbourhoods.”

“In short, the violence is soaring back to the levels we saw prior to the cessation of hostilities. There are deeply disturbing reports of military build-ups indicating preparations for a lethal escalation.”

The High Commissioner said the UN Human Rights Office has over the years documented numerous attacks on hospitals and other medical facilities as well numerous strikes on marketplaces during busy shopping times — which, depending on the circumstances, may amount to war crimes.

“In any case, these indicate a serious, alarming disregard for one of the cornerstones of international humanitarian law: the duty to protect civilians,” he said.

Civilians also remain trapped in besieged villages, towns and cities across Syria. Many innocent civilians are at risk of starvation and have no access to adequate medical care. The towns of Fu’a and Kefraya, outside the city of Aleppo are a case in point. “The inhabitants of these towns remain at grave risk of revenge attacks by opposition groups, should truce agreements collapse,” Zeid said.

While information is much more difficult to gather from Daesh-occupied areas, the High Commissioner expressed deep concern at the numerous allegations of civilian casualties due to air strikes.

Source ; MENA