Concerned about Reported Killing of Protesters in Syria, Secretary-General

 

Says Use of Lethal Force against Peaceful Demonstrators ‘Unacceptable’

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is concerned about the reported killing of demonstrators in Der'a, Syria, today.  The use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators and their arbitrary arrests are unacceptable.  The Secretary-General urges the Syrian authorities to refrain from violence and to abide by their international commitments regarding human rights which guarantee the freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom of the press and the right to peaceful assembly.  The Secretary-General believes that, as elsewhere, it is the responsibility of the Government in Syria to listen to the legitimate aspirations of the people and address them through inclusive political dialogue and genuine reforms, not repression.

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For information media • not an official record