Indiscriminate attacks on Syrian civilians must end now

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Friday urged all parties to the Syrian conflict to immediately end violence and military actions which too often reflect a "monstrous disregard for civilian lives."

"Reports are coming in from Aleppo, Homs, Damascus and Rural Damascus, Idleb and Deir ez-Zour of mounting civilian casualties," the UN human rights chief said in a statement.

The upsurge of bomb attacks targeting crowded marketplaces, hospitals and medical facilities have sparked concerns as the civilian death toll continues to rise.

Such indiscriminate attacks and blatant disregard for the two-month-old ceasefire truce which appears to be in tatters also endanger attempts to broker a political end to the five year conflict.

Depending on circumstances, these actions may amount to war crimes according to international humanitarian law which calls for the protection of civilian lives at all times.

"In short, the violence is soaring back to the levels we saw prior to the cessation of hostilities. There are deeply disturbing reports of military build-ups indicating preparations for a lethal escalation," Zeid continued.

In light of this and the dire humanitarian situation, the official called upon the international community and all relevant actors to renew efforts to address the suffering of the Syrian people.

"The cessation of hostilities and the Geneva talks were the only game in town, and if they are abandoned now, I dread to think how much more horror we will see in Syria," he said.

According to UN estimates, as many as 400,000 people have lost their lives since fighting erupted in March 2011.

Millions of others have been displaced by unabated violence, while the country has become a hotbed for terrorist organisations.

Source: XINHUA