Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Most Houla victims killed in summary executions: UN


"(Reuters) - Most of the 108 people killed in the Syrian town of Houla were civilians and entire families were shot in their homes, the U.N. human rights office said on Tuesday.

Witnesses and survivors have told U.N. investigators that most victims died in two bouts of summary executions carried out by pro-government "shabbiha" militiamen in the nearby village of Taldaou last Friday, U.N. rights spokesman Rupert Colville said.

"It is believed at this point, and I would stress we are at very preliminary stages, that under 20 of the 108 can be attributed to artillery and tank fire," he added.

"What is very clear is that this was an absolutely abominable event that took place in Houla, and at least a substantial part of it were summary executions of civilians - women and children," he said.

"At this point it looks like entire families were shot in their houses," he said....."

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