The World Reacts to Syrian Violence

Burial of victims killed by Syrian forces in Houla, Syria

Syrians bury tens of victims' bodies who were killed by Syrian forces as they attend their mass funeral in Houla, Syria, on May 26, 2012. ©Sniperphoto.co.uk/Demotix

On Friday, the Syrian military brutally killed over 100 people in Houla, Syria.  Our sources tell us that the barrage of shells, mortars, rockets and raids on Friday left at least 108 dead, including 34 women and 50 children.

The horrifying violence has had geopolitical repercussions around the world:

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, “The government bears the main responsibility for what is going on.”  It was a surprising departure from past statements by Russian officials that provided diplomatic cover for Syrian government violence.
  • Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood called on “Arab, Islamic and international governments … and the people of the free world to intervene to stop these massacres.”
  • And today, at least 10 nations expelled their Syrian ambassadors and senior Syrian diplomats — the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.

The decision to send Syrian diplomats packing gave further voice to the global outrage at ongoing Syrian government violence.  Still, expulsion of diplomats and a reconfiguration of Russian rhetoric is not enough.  The UN Security Council must take a strong stand against the crimes against humanity being perpetrated by the Syrian government.

The violence in Syria has to be referred to the International Criminal Court immediately.  This means that the Russian Federation must do more than talk.  Together with China, they must drop their opposition to strong UN Security Council action now.

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7 thoughts on “The World Reacts to Syrian Violence

  1. This is so sad. Sometimes I think we as Americans forget just how brutal and destructive the world is outside our little shell of the United States. While yes there are high crime rates and lots of violence in the U.S. it does not even come close to comparing to something like this. If this types of destruction of human lives happened in the U.S. it would be front page headlines and one of the worst tragedies in the United State's history. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts.

  2. Mr. Bery,

    I've received emails from Amnesty asking me to "Tell Russia: Stop Shielding the Syrian Government" but I have yet to hear any requests from Amnesty to pressure Washington about Saudi Arabia's or Israel's support of the "rebels." Why is that, do you think?
    You must know of this story in the WaPo: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-secu

    And you probably know of James Petras' analysis: http://petras.lahaine.org/?p=1891 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article2

    I'm just trying to understand why it is that Amnesty is so selective in its advocacy.

  3. The news about the violence in Syria is really unfortunate and this mass movement from the people is really motivating one. I hope this movement can bring back peace in Syria. Keep posting more updates about this social situation in Syria soon in future also.

  4. I think all states should come together in an effort to bring peace to those places. They will kill each other till there is no one left. Already no one is safe, not even children or women.

  5. I simply can't believe there are people who would do this. Nothing is worth taking someone's life: religion, justice, pride or something else

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