UN condemns violence in Syria protests, urges investigation

Ongoing reports from Syria suggest that small anti-government protests are continuing around the country despite a government crackdown. Around 400 people are said to have been killed over the last six weeks.

Hundreds of women have demonstrated in the southern city of Deraa, where the protests began six weeks ago, despite continued gunfire there.

Protesters are demanding end of a government assault on Deraa. In the coastal town of Baniyas, the authorities did not try to stop a march in which participants expressed their solidarity with the people of Deraa.

Opposition activists say they are hoping for more demonstrations throughout the country after Friday prayers this week.

The 15-nation council is expected to take up the issue of Syria again later on tomorrow (Wednesday).

A draft text - proposed by the UK, France, Germany and Portugal - condemns the deadly violence against Syrian civilians and backs Mr Ban's call for a "transparent" independent investigation into deaths in the protests.

"It goes without saying that Syrian authorities have an obligation to protect civilians and respect international human rights. This includes the right to free expression and peaceful assembly," the UN chief said.

Mr Ban added that he was convinced that only an "inclusive dialogue and genuine reform" could address the Syrian people's legitimate aspirations, and restore peace and social order.

But the Syrian envoy to the UN maintains the country is perfectly capable of carrying out its own inquiry.

"Syria has a government, has a state," Bashar Ja'afari said, as reported by Reuters. "We can undertake any investigation by our own selves with full transparency... We have nothing to hide."

Earlier, European countries called for "strong measures" to halt repression in the country - with France and Italy urging both the EU and UN to put pressure on Syria.

Despite the lifting of an emergency law last week, Syria's security forces have killed more than 400 civilians in their campaign to crush the month-long pro-democracy protests, according to Sawasiah, a Syrian human rights organisation.

It has called on the UN Security Council to start proceedings against Syrian officials in the International Criminal Court.