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  1. #1
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    Syria : Torture Centres

    Revealed: Syrian torture centres
    Ruth Pollard
    Ruth Pollard is Fairfax's Middle East correspondent
    July 3, 2012

    Syria's 'underground torture' centres

    Human Rights Watch says it has pinpointed a network of government detention centres, which implement torture.

    It is known as the Palestine Branch and its three underground floors provide a central location for the systematic program of torture and abuse meted out by an army of Syrian secret police and high-ranking intelligence officers.

    Situated in the capital Damascus on Mutahaleq al-Janoubi, Branch 235 – or the Palestine Branch – is one of Syria's most feared prisons and one of the 27 torture sites that Human Rights Watch has mapped following interviews with more than 200 torture victims and defectors.While most of those interviewed by the human rights group were young men aged between 18 and 35, the torture victims interviewed also included children, women, and the elderly. Each interviewee has indicated on satellite imagery the exact location of the prison in which they were held, then the location, facilities, staff, commanders and method of torture were verified by several torture victims and defectors.


    Protesters holding up banners during a protest against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Kfarnabel in Idlib province.
    Photo: AFP

    HRW estimates that Syrian authorities have subjected tens of thousands of people to arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, enforced disappearances, ill-treatment and torture using this extensive network of prisons and torture centres.

    In a detailed set of maps and command structures, the group has documented the exact location, agency, commander and type of torture used, using testimony corroborated by multiple witnesses, both victims and perpetrators.

    Spokesman Nadim Houry says, based on the evidence collected, the actual number of such facilities is likely much higher.



    “We believe there is strong evidence that there is a state policy of torture and that it is widespread,” Mr Houry says. “These security services represent a shadow parallel state that must be held to account.”

    A 31-year-old described how he was forced to undress before he was tortured over a three-day period in a detention centre in Idlib.

    “They started squeezing my fingers with pliers. They put staples in my fingers, chest, and ears. I was only allowed to take them out if I spoke. The nails in the ears were the most painful. They used two wires hooked up to a car battery to give me electric shocks. They used electric stun-guns on my genitals twice. I thought I would never see my family again.”

    Branch 285 – also in Damascus – also prompts fear and dread among Syrians arrested by the security services.

    Led by Brigadier General Ibrahim Ma'la (head of branch since late 2011) and Brigadier General Hussam Fendi (head of branch until late 2011), prisoners report being subject to electric shocks, sexual abuse and beatings in the centre's 17 interrogation rooms.

    The defector who gave evidence on this prison estimated there might have been as many as 1500 detainees in Branch 285, while a prisoner testified that he was kept in a cell measuring about 25 square metres with 74 other detainees.

    Torture methods included prolonged beatings, often with objects such as batons and wires, holding the detainees in painful stress positions for prolonged periods, the use of electricity, burning with sulphuric acid, sexual assault and humiliation, the pulling of fingernails and mock execution.

    The country's four main intelligence agencies – collectively referred to as the mukhabarat – are in charge of the detention centres:
    • Department of Military Intelligence (Shu 'bat al-Mukhabarat al-'Askariyya);
    • Political Security Directorate (Idarat al-Amn al-Siyasi);
    • General Intelligence Directorate (Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-'Amma); and
    • Air Force Intelligence Directorate (Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Jawiyya).
    brisbanetimes.com.au

  2. #2
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    Published on 2 Jul 2012 by HumanRightsWatch

    Former detainees and defectors have identified the locations, agencies responsible, torture methods used, and, in many cases, the commanders in charge of 27 detention facilities run by Syrian intelligence agencies.

    The systematic patterns of ill-treatment and torture that Human Rights Watch documented clearly point to a state policy of torture and ill-treatment and therefore constitute a crime against humanity.

    youtube.com

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  4. #4
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    Human Rights Watch says it has pinpointed a network of government detention centres, which implement torture.
    Oh Jaysus, they're basing their policies on that of America.

  5. #5
    FarangRed
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    personally I think it's a load of bollicks if it is correct then why has no one invaded them, didn't take them long to start bombing Libya

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    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Because Russia are backing them and they just want the money and the Naval base.

  7. #7
    FarangRed
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    OK I believe you

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    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Perhaps if you read the news you wouldn't have to.

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    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    The HRW know there whereabouts as the US gave them the blueprints. All built and paid for under the "War on Terror" budget passed by congress and the senate and taken from the US taxpayers pockets. Utilised for the Al Qaeda terrorist torture programme. You really must keep up with these "missions" or they just become one big blur.

    God bless America, Land of the Free, speech, elections, food stamps, health care and big sticks; courtesy of those little yellow guys who keep buying our greenbacks.
    Last edited by OhOh; 03-07-2012 at 10:12 PM.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    they just want the money and the Naval base.
    It's the hot sandy beaches, the hot catholic girls, the Mosques/Temples/Churches and the culture they go for Harry you know that; or am I thinking of Thailand?
    Last edited by OhOh; 03-07-2012 at 10:14 PM.

  11. #11
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    None so blind as those who will not see

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    they just want the money and the Naval base.
    It's the hot sandy beaches, the hot catholic girls, the Mosques/Temples/Churches and the culture they go for Harry you know that; or am I thinking of Thailand?
    If they follow the Iranian terrorists, it could lead them to either.

  13. #13
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    Russia's stance on Syria 'will not change'
    14 December 2012


    Syrian rebel forces have experienced tactical successes in recent weeks


    Russia's foreign ministry has insisted that the country has not changed its position on Syria and "never will".

    It came a day after Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Syria's government was "progressively losing control" and that "the victory of the Syrian opposition cannot be excluded".

    Earlier, the ministry clarified his comments, noting he had also said there could only be a political solution.

    Meanwhile, the US has agreed to send Patriot missiles to Turkey.

    Defence Secretary Leon Panetta signed orders to deploy two batteries and 400 military personnel along the border with Syria to defend Turkish civilians against attacks by missiles or aircraft.

    Germany and the Netherlands are also sending two batteries each to southern Turkey. All six will be placed under the command of Nato and are scheduled to be operational by the end of January.

    On Wednesday, it was revealed that the Syrian military had resorted to firing Scud ballistic missiles at rebels in an attempt to slow their advance.

    'Quoting claim'

    Mr Bogdanov's assessment of the situation in Syria appeared to signal a major shift in the diplomatic stance of Russia, which has remained a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad since the uprising began in March 2011 and blocked attempts at UN Security Council action.
    Mr Bogdanov reiterated Russia's principle position - that there is no alternative to a political resolution in Syria ”
    Russian foreign ministry spokesman

    "We must look squarely at the facts, and the trend now suggests that the regime and the government in Syria are losing control over more and more territory," the deputy foreign minister told an event in Moscow on Thursday.

    "Unfortunately, it is impossible to exclude a victory of the Syrian opposition," he added.

    Mr Bogdanov's words were reported by the leading Russian news agencies, but Russian TV channels did not broadcast them and the foreign ministry did not publish them on its website.

    The US later commended Russia for "waking up to the reality".

    On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry said Mr Bogdanov had "issued no statements and given no special interviews in recent days".

    The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow says that is technically true, as his comments were made during a panel discussion on Syria.

    "At the discussion on the Middle East and North Africa at the Russian Public Chamber, Syria was discussed," a ministry spokesman said.

    "The well-known claim of the Syrian opposition and its external sponsors predicting 'a quick victory over the authorities in Damascus' was quoted," he added. "In this context, Mr Bogdanov reiterated Russia's principal position - that there is no alternative to a political resolution in Syria based on the Action Group for Syria, agreed in Geneva on 30 June."

    In other words, our correspondent says, the foreign ministry claims that Mr Bogdanov did not go off message, even though phrases like "facts should be faced" and "the victory of the Syrian opposition cannot be excluded" suggest otherwise.

    Even if this is not the Russian government's official public position yet, Mr Bogdanov's comments indicate what Moscow is really thinking, he adds.

    The Action Group for Syria called for an immediate cessation of violence and the establishment of a transitional government that could include officials serving under President Assad and members of the opposition.

    bbc.co.uk

  14. #14
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    Thank fuck the Jews are not involved in this slaughter ,as well as Syria its being going on now for quite some time in Iraq between the Sunni's and the Shia's were thousands have been brutally murdered on both sides of the "religion of peace", yet it hardly gets a mention! I suppose its OK for how much crime against humanity is committed as long as the Jews are not part of it eh?the so called religion of peace cannot even live in harmony with each other so you dreamers out there can forget any meaningful peace with Israel, as this is not about land but Islamic bigotry which is not just reserved for the Jews either, but the Indigenous European Infidel too, of course those who contest this simple fact and want to take this any further by all means post and say so, and not just the usual empty biased rhetoric, but independent links that plainly says Islam does not pose a very serious threat to OUR way of life in Europe simply because we are regarded as "infidels"
    Last edited by piwanoi; 14-12-2012 at 08:07 PM.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    Well of course there are, WMDs too!!

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    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    Syrian rebel forces have experienced tactical successes in recent weeks
    Strategically they are a leaking sieve, funded by murderers so far keeping their bodybags to a minimum.

    GoGo USA, NATO (The organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party. )

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    Everyone seems to be supporting the opposition to the Assad regime, and after they started shooting mini buses (SCUDs) at cities, I do kinda agree.

    However, aren't the Syrian Opposition linked to Al Quaida and all that? In fact, the US recently withheld full backing because of the the Al Nursa lot, who are classified a terrorists. Seems funny that the West is backing a new opposition who have ties with the same people they are at war with in other parts of the world.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico the Fox View Post
    Everyone seems to be supporting the opposition to the Assad regime, and after they started shooting mini buses (SCUDs) at cities, I do kinda agree.

    However, aren't the Syrian Opposition linked to Al Quaida and all that? In fact, the US recently withheld full backing because of the the Al Nursa lot, who are classified a terrorists. Seems funny that the West is backing a new opposition who have ties with the same people they are at war with in other parts of the world.
    Has no one ever thought that if and when the Assad regime falls it will be replaced by something far worse! ,history often repeats itself ya know !

  19. #19
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    This link (just one of Dozens) proves my point ,so all those sleepwalking away from the unpalatable truth had better wake up soon or is this what you really want for YOUR Country
    Last edited by piwanoi; 14-12-2012 at 08:33 PM.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico the Fox
    aren't the Syrian Opposition linked to Al Quaida
    Isn't that the same group the crusader coalition is at war with on a global basis?

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