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Targeted Abuse of Civilians on Rise by Syria's Warring Parties

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Syria said civilians
   increasingly are being subjected to targeted abuse by all warring
   parties. The commission's report, which documents violations during the
   first half of this year, will be submitted to the U.N. Human Council
   later this month.

   Large-scale hostilities in the decade-long conflict have declined since
   a cease-fire took effect March 5. While fighting among the armed groups
   is dwindling, their aggression involving the civilian population is on
   the rise.
   In its 25-page report, the three-member Commission of Inquiry documents
   dozens of different types of violations in scores of incidents
   affecting tens of thousands of victims. The report said violations
   continue to be employed, including arbitrary detention, enforced
   disappearances, torture, and deaths in custody.

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