U.N. Details Torture Cases, in Broader Push for Justice
The New York Times reports on documentation of “the rampant and routine use of torture by the Syrian authorities,” outlined by U.N. Human Rights chief Navi Pilay. Her office released this report on torture in Syria, which claims the practice is being used both by the regime and by rebel groups including Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS.
“They called us prostitutes and spat on our faces,” said a 26-year-old woman quoted in the report, who described her detention by state security forces. “I was hanged against a wall for three days, and frequently beaten with an electric cable. I used to pass out from the pain. They pulled out my teeth, and threw water at me.”
“The best thing is when you pass out, because then the pain stops,” said another victim.
The torture report came just as the U.N. Security Council is set to see photographs of some of the 11,000 Syrians allegedly tortured and killed by Assad.
The Guardian reports that it’s “part of an effort to prosecute the perpetrators for war crimes” – an effort led by France, which is hosting the closed-door meeting on Tuesday.
“France’s U.N. mission said in a statement that Tuesday’s meeting ‘will also allow a discussion on the means to ensure accountability for these crimes,’” the AP writes. So far the U.N. Security Council has been unable to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court because Russia, supported by China, has used its veto power to oppose the move.
Syria to Announce Election Date, Likely in June
The speaker of Syria’s parliament will announce the date of the country’s presidential election, likely to be held in June, AFP reports, citing Al Watan newspaper. President Bashar al-Assad is expected to run for re-election, standing for another seven-year term.
“In the past, the country’s head of state has been chosen by referendum, but a new constitution passed in 2012 mandates presidential elections for the first time,” AFP writes. “The rules for competing against [Assad] will prevent any of the country’s main opposition figures in exile from standing.”
The logistics of holding an election will be complicated by a war that has split Syria into regime-run and rebel-held terrain. “It remains unclear how a presidential vote can be held, with … widespread violence ravaging much of the country and nearly half the population displaced.”
Drought Could Complicate Food Crisis, Threatening Millions of Lives
NPR takes a look at the current drought in Syria, which the U.N. warns will have “a major impact” on Syria’s food production. “With three quarters of the rainfall season gone, it is unlikely that there will be a significant recovery in this agricultural season,”says the World Food Programme (WFP).
Rainfall since September has been less than half the long-term average, according to the BBC. The shortfall could put the lives of millions of more people at risk, at a time when WFP food aid has been cut by a fifth due to a lack of funds from international donors.
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