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Airstrike on Sarmada IDP camp tantamount to war crime -- UN expert

GENEVA, May 6 (KUNA) -- The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Chaloka Beyani on Friday condemned in the strongest terms the deadly air attack on the IDP camp near Sarmada town in Idlib province, north Syria, yesterday.
The airstrike is "a grievous attack against highly vulnerable civilians that has all the hallmarks of a war crime," Dr. Beyani said a press release from his office here.
The airstrike has reportedly killing at least 30 people and injuring over 80, among them many women and children. Most of those in the camps had fled fighting and air attacks on the nearby Aleppo city since February.
"There can be no justification for such atrocities against those who had already been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and are at their most vulnerable living in tents and reliant on humanitarian assistance," he said.
"A targeted attack against them would constitute an abhorrent and criminal violation of international humanitarian and human rights law and standards.
"International law is clear: every human being has the inherent right to life," Dr. Beyani stated.
Referring to the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, he reiterated that "attacks or other acts of violence against internally displaced persons are prohibited in all circumstances, including attacks against their camps or settlements." The Special Rapporteur, who visited Syria in last May to assess the situation of internally displaced persons in the country, stressed that such principles must be observed by all authorities, groups and persons irrespective of their legal status and applied without any adverse distinction.
"I call upon all conflicting parties in Syria to ensure they comply with these responsibilities. The civilian character of these camps was clearly evident," Dr. Beyani said, expressing his dismay at the attack. "An investigation into the events is critical to determine responsibility and to hold those responsible to account.
"This shocking violation of international law must not be repeated and internally displaced persons must be provided with all necessary protection and reparations for the violations of their rights and the losses they have suffered," he concluded. (pickup previous) ta.gb