HRW condemns torture, forced confessions and executions carried out by Syrian insurgents

It's about time 'human rights organisations' drew attention to the gross abuses carried out by the Syrian insurgents.


Evidence of the rebels  Hanging civilians, beheading prisoners  and burning captives alive has already appeared on this blog.

Disturbing allegations suggesting that the rebels are murdering and kidnapping Christians, Alawites and other religious minorities have also been made by individuals on the ground.    

BEIRUT, March 20 (Reuters) - Armed opposition groups in Syria have kidnapped, tortured and executed members of the security forces and supporters of President Bashar al-Assad, the New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

The rights group condemned the tactics by opposition fighters, who have long accused government troops and loyalists of carrying out similar abuses.

"The Syrian government's brutal tactics cannot justify abuses by armed opposition groups," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, in an open letter to dissident groups including the official opposition body the Syrian National Council (SNC).

"Opposition leaders should make it clear to their followers that they must not torture, kidnap or execute under any circumstances," she added.

Syria's armed opposition is highly fragmented and many militias do not appear to belong to an organised command structure or to be following SNC orders.

The year-long uprising in Syria, in which the United Nations says more than 8,000 people have been killed, started as a peaceful protest movement. But it has become increasingly violent with daily clashes between rebels and security forces around the country.


SECTARIAN TENSIONS

HRW cited dozens of YouTube videos in which Syrian security forces or their alleged supporters confessed to crimes, apparently under duress. At least 18 of the videos showed detainees who were bruised, bleeding, or suffering from other signs of physical abuse, the groups added.

One video showed a man hanging from a tree by his neck in front of several armed fighters with commentary indicating that he was a member of the Shabbiha, feared irregular forces loyal to Assad.

HRW said some of the attacks appeared to have targeted Shi'ite Muslims or members of Assad's own Alawite sect...

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