Press briefing notesOffice of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Press briefing notes: Syria and Guatemala
02 March 2012
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Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville Location: Geneva Subject: (1) Syria (2) Guatemala
(1) Syria
We are alarmed at reports starting to come out of the Baba Amro district of Homs after it was taken over by Government forces yesterday. Although we are not, at this point, in a position to confirm any of those reports, we would like to remind the authorities of their responsibilities under international law. It is essential that there are no unlawful reprisals, no summary executions, no torture, no arbitrary detention. And the rights of those who are detained must be respected. Enough crimes have already been committed in Syria over the past year. We urge the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure no more are committed now that they have taken control of Baba Amro.
(2) Guatemala
We welcome the news that a Guatemalan judge has rejected former dictator Efrain Rios Montt's claim that a 1986 amnesty law protects him against being tried on genocide charges.
Judge Miguel Angel Galvez says the amnesty law is invalid because of a 1949 international treaty against genocide that Guatemala signed long before the amnesty was declared.
Thursday's ruling appears to open the door to striking down amnesty for anyone accused of genocide related to the country's 36-year civil war, in which around 200,000 people are believed to have been killed. As you know, the firm position of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is that amnesties should never be granted for serious international crimes.
ENDS
For more information or media requests, please contact Ravina Shamdasani (+ 41 22 917 9310 / rshamdasani@ohchr.org) or Xabier Celaya (+41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org).
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