In Geneva, Human Rights Watch called on the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is holding an emergency session on Syria, to condemn the “suppression of peaceful protests” and initiate an investigation into acts of violence.
Julie de Rivero, the director of Human Rights Watch’s office in Geneva, stated, “President Bashar al-Assad must hear a clear message from the Human Rights Council that violent suppression of peaceful protests is unacceptable and will have consequences.”
The organization considered that an “international investigation into the suppression in Syria would prevent further acts of violence,” pointing to a toll of “no less than 300 killed” since the start of the protest movement on March 15.
Meanwhile, former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam expressed his hope that President Bashar al-Assad would step down from his position.
Khaddam, residing in Luxembourg, stated in exclusive remarks to the Turkish daily newspaper “Hurriyet” that the situation in Syria has reached serious dimensions, and for that reason, he hopes that Assad will step down.
Khaddam pointed out that the Syrian regime relies on intelligence, police, and military institutions, and for this reason, the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad chooses the path of killing and arresting opposition to the regime. He noted that the Syrian people have chosen the path of disobedience in various Syrian cities against their regime because they live under intense pressure and difficult economic conditions.
