UN body condemns Syria for use of lethal violence against protestors and for denial of access to medical treatment

The United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Syria on Friday 29 April for resorting to lethal violence in its intensified crackdown against antigovernment protestors and for denying access to medical treatment.

“The preponderance of information emerging from Syria depicts a widespread, persistent, and gross disregard for basic human rights by the Syrian military and security forces,” said Kang Kyung-wha, the UN’s deputy high commissioner for human rights.

She said that information gathered included reports of “the widespread use of live fire against protestors . . . torture of detainees . . . and attacks against medical personnel, facilities, and patients.”

In a special session the 47 member council adopted a resolution, by 26 votes to nine, that unequivocally condemned the killings and “the hindrance of access to medical treatment” …