UN CONCERNED ABOUT FATE OF THOSE SCREENED AS THEY LEAVE HOMS

New York, 15 Rabi’ul Akhir 1435/15 Febuary 2014 (MINA) – Hundreds are being held in screening facilities as they attempt to leave Homs during ceasefire. The UN Friday said it is concerned about the fate of men and boys who have been questioned by Syria’s authorities as they attempt to leave Homs.

Men and boys between the age of 15 and 55 are being taken to separate facilities for screening, according to UN refugee agency spokesperson Melissa Fleming. At a press conference at the UN offices in Geneva she said 381 boys, between 15 and 18-years-old, are being held in one of the centers.

Fleming said 170 have been able to leave the facilities, after being screened, but 13 of them have been hospitalized, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“We are concerned about the fate of these men and boys. Once they leave the facility we have limited ability to follow up. We cannot guarantee safety and security as the UN organizations. We are calling on the government to ensure the safety and security of these people with respect to the international human rights law,” she said.

Those trying to leave during the ceasefire that has been agreed in Homs are being questioned in an abandoned school in Homs.

According to the terms of the ceasfire, those allowed to leave were men 55 years-old or over, as well as women and children. UN staff reported that many were in poor health and traumatized. (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)