LEBANON/TURKEY: Syrian rebels condemned for video apparently showing execution of Assad loyalists

Record ID: 281236

  • Title: LEBANON/TURKEY: Syrian rebels condemned for video apparently showing execution of Assad loyalists
  • Date: 2nd August 2012
  • Summary: ENTRANCE TO CAMP (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED SYRIAN REFUGEE, SAYING: "This is the tactic of Assad's army. They are using these methods and those who carried out those executions are another pro-Assad militia" VARIOUS OF TENTS INSIDE CAMP BEIRUT, LEBANON (AUGUST 2, 2012) (REUTERS) DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, NADIM HOURY, SPEAK
  • Embargoed: 17th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVADR3FVYQSHTIGI842QMT3C6ENR
  • Story Text: Syrian refugees questioned a video showing the apparent execution of four men loyal to President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday (August 2), suggesting pro-Assad groups might be behind its dissemination, as propaganda against the opposition.
    The video, uploaded to a social media website on Wednesday (August 1) purportedly shows four men identified as pro-Assad "shabbiha" militia being led into a crowded yard in the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo. A prolonged barrage of gunfire is unleashed and, as the smoke clears, a pile of bodies can be seen by a wall.
    Syrians living across the border in a new refugee camp built in the Turkish town of Yayladagi questioned whether the Free Syrian Army was responsible for the violent executions.

    "The Free Syrian Army is the army of the Syrian people, the army that is rescueing the people of Syria. They can't do this. They are protecting Syrian people and they are fighting Assad's army. God willing, they will win the war. That footage can't be accurate. The Syrian army is doing that, not the Free Syrian Army," said refugee Abu Bedii.
    His views were echoed by another refugee, who did not want to be identified.

    "This is the tactic of Assad's army. They are using these methods and those who carried out those executions are another pro-Assad militia," another Syrian man said.
    The video has drawn strong condemnation from human rights groups. Nadim Houry, the Director of Human Rights Watch in the Middle East and North Africa, said the apparent execution was in breach of international laws.

    "Extrajudicial executions are never justified, regardless of the identity of the victim. It is grave violation of international humanitarian law, of the Geneva conventions. It amounts to a war crime. This is the key moment for the Free Syrian Army. They are gaining more control over territory and the entire world is going to watch how they are going to be behaving. Are they going to respect international standards or are we going to see grave human rights violations and humanitarian law violations like we have documented by regime forces? And this sets a very dangerous precedent," said Houry.
    Human Rights Watch has been documenting incidents of violence in Syria since March 2012. The organisation has reached out to senior members of the Syria National Council and to some members of the Free Syrian Army to insist on the importance of respecting international standards, Houry said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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