The Assad Regime Massacres Civilians in Al-Bayda While the International Community Remains Idle

Media Note

Syrian Coalition Media Office

Istanbul, Turkey

May 3nd 2013

Reports now confirm a large-scale massacre in the city of Al-Bayda, close to the village of Banyas, in Tartous. Initial reports confirm that Assad forces were directly involved in the execution and burning of at least 150 people, including women and children. Witnesses of the crime report that Assad’s gangs used knives to murder many innocent victims.

Article 2 of The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted as a General Assembly Resolution 260 by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, and enforced in 1951, was ratified by Syria, and applies to this crime. Therefore, an urgent intervention by the Security Council is necessary to protect international security and peace. Additionally, the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court, which “persecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression,” includes such crimes, and we urge the prosecutor of the ICC to investigate the crimes against humanity committed in Syria.

Once more, the international community is faced with a test of morality and ethics. It is time for the world to intervene and put an end to the grievous crimes of the Assad regime. Assad’s actions, according to all international legal definitions and customs, constitute war crimes and crimes of genocide.

The Syrian Coalition calls on the Arab League and the United Nations to move quickly in order to save civilians in Bayda, Baynas, and other villages across Syria. Criminal gangs remain in these regions and they continue to terrorize the civilians in attempt to crush the people’s call for freedom.