AI: Death toll rises as bombardment of civilian areas escalates in Homs

[pampango]

The Syrian security forces' assault on Homs has grown increasingly deadly.

At least 377 civilians have been killed in Homs in recent days as Syrian security forces escalated their shelling of civilian neighbourhoods in the besieged city, according to information received by Amnesty International. On Wednesday, reports also emerged of a military build-up in the city of Hama, 50 km to the north.

The latest surge in casualties chimes with remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the international community’s failure to act had “emboldened” the Syrian military assault. “The international community must not stand idly by while Homs and other Syrian cities come under fire and civilians are dying in droves,” said Ann Harrison, interim Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.

“If there is one thing I would say to the international community, [it] is please put pressure on the government to allow ambulances to move in Homs – people who could be saved are dying because of this,” “Dr Hamza”, a London-based Syrian doctor who does not wish to be identified, told Amnesty International.

Syrian activists have told Amnesty International that hundreds of seriously injured civilians have been left untreated in Bab Amr because of the medical shortages. According to “Dr Hamza”, some – including a young child – have had limbs amputated because adequate medical assistance for their injuries was unavailable.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/syria-bombardment-civilian-areas-escalates-homs-2012-02-14