Monday, August 20, 2012

Human Rights Watch--yet again--covers up the crimes of the Free Syrian Army

I was waiting for HRW to release a statement against the kidnapping of Lebanese pilgrims by gangs of the Free Syrian Army.  It never did: instead, it released a tough statement calling on the Lebanese government to investigate the kidnapping by Muqdad family of Syrians.  I have no problems in the latter part but it is rather noteworthy and shameful that HRW would notice one set of hostages but not the other set that was kidnapped by their friends in the Free Syrian Army.  Instead, look what the statement said about the kidnappers of the Lebanese hostages:  " the Free Syrian Army should reiterate its opposition to kidnappings and any other unlawful detention under any circumstances by any forces under its command."  Reiterate its opposition?  The kidnapping by Free Syrian Army was confirmed by the families of the hostages who were released by the Free Syrian Army gang itself, and HRW did not bother to talk to the family to confirm that FSA was the party that kidnapped the Lebanese.  Notice that the statement basically asserts the innocence of FSA while not bothering with the evidence to the contrary.  And when Syrian opposition personalities, like Haytham Al-Malih, spoke out in favor of the kidnapping of Lebanese pilgrims in Syria, HRW did not bother to condemn or to even mention that in this report.  More and more, the HRW office in Beirut has been transformed into a branch of the Hariri press office, and thus should officially join the March 14 coalition.  Where was the HRW office when scores of Syrians were attacked and killed by gangs and thugs of March 14 parties from 2005 on??