"The group, Amnesty International, said there was enough evidence to conclude that torture or ill-treatment caused or contributed to the deaths of at least 52 of the 88 people who died while in detention since April, 10 of them under the age of 18. At least one was 13. The victims, all male, were arrested because of their involvement or suspected involvement in the protests against Mr. Assad’s rule. The group said that independent forensic pathologists who reviewed a number of cases concluded by the type of injuries on the victim’s corpses that they may have suffered beatings, burns, blunt-force injuries, and whipping marks and slashes. “Taken in the context of the widespread and systematic violations taking place in Syria, we believe that these deaths in custody may include crimes against humanity,” said Neil Sammonds, Amnesty International’s researcher on Syria, in the report. The report was drawn from accounts by Syrians who fled to Lebanon and Turkey, and those communicating by telephone and e-mail from within the country, including relatives of the dead, medical professionals, released detainees and activists."