UN CHIEF URGES END TO ‘FLAGRANT’ VIOLATIONS IN SYRIA

New York, 15 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/15 Febuary 2014 (MINA) – The U.N. Humanitarian Affairs Chief Valerie Amos accuses both sides of the Syrian conflict of failing in their responsibilities to protect civilians.

She called for international action to end “consistent and flagrant” human rights violations in Syria, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Amos talked to the press on Friday after briefing the U.N. Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria.

“There is no amount of words that can adequately describe the horrific reality facing civilians in Syria today,” she said.

Amos reiterated she had raised the alarm about the humanitarian crisis in the besieged city of Homs 14 months ago and said not enough international action was taken so far.

“We cannot wait another 14 months to reach 1,400 more people. This is not only about the Old City of Homs. There are millions of people in dire need across Syria, their lives hanging in the balance,” she said.

Amos criticized both regime and opposition forces for failing in their responsibilities to protect civilians. “We understand that a war is going on, but even wars have rules.”

The U.N. humanitarian chief warned that the operational environment in Syria is more dangerous for U.N. teams than ever. She reiterated that 15 aid workers died since last October.

 According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 136,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011. The United Nations ceased counting after 100,000 early January, due to verification issues. (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)