PARIS Oct 4 (KUNA) - The Council of Europe, a 47-member human rights and democracy monitor, on Thursday condemned ongoing and massive violations of human rights in Syria, saying these constitute "crimes against humanity" and it urged Europe to do more for victims and Syria's neighbours who are catering to refugees.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council (PACE) said the situation is now "becoming more and more critical" for an estimated 1.2 million Syrians who have been forced to flee their homes and it called for the establishment of a "no-fly zone" and humanitarian corridors to protect refugees.
A statement from PACE said "the continuing, systematic and gross violations, amounting to crimes against humanity, committed in Syria" are to be condemned. But it also called on Europe "to show greater solidarity with Syrians who are victims of the conflict and (with) the neighbouring States sheltering them." The statement also said that latest estimates show that nearly 300,000 Syrians are now living outside that country's borders in near-by camps.
"Shortages of food, hygiene products and a lack of accommodation were creating a drastic situation in refugee camps," a PACE resolution noted.
The Council thanks all countries for having made efforts to receive refugees, despite the huge organisational and security problems this has caused. In addition, the Strasbourg-based body criticized the international community for its "relative silence and inaction" so far.
The Council called for "more money, an easing of asylum procedures for refugees from Syria and a resettlement action plan" to tackle what it said was now a "full-fledged civil war" situation.
Given the climate today, the PACE resolution urged the establishment of "an air exclusion zone enforced by the UN Security Council" and also the setting up of "humanitarian corridors." It also urged a ceasefire and expressed support for the work of UN-Arab League special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi. (End) jk.ajs KUNA 041608 Oct 12NNNN