The UN observers have been the target of violence [AFP report] since they arrived in the country in April following the unanimous approval of a resolution [JURIST report] to send 300 unarmed soldiers and other civilian aid to Syria by the UN Security Council [official website]. Last week, UN Special Rapporteurs reported an escalation in violence [JURIST report] against peaceful protesters, journalists and human rights defenders.

The international community has continued to call for end to the violence in Syria. In early April, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] released a report claiming the Syrian government has executed more than 100 civilians [JURIST report] and opposition fighters during recent attacks. Also in April, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [official website] reaffirmed his call for an end to the violence and condemned attacks [JURIST report] by pro-government troops against civilians. In March, the UN Human Rights Council [official website] passed a non-binding resolution [JURIST report] condemning Syrian authorities for ongoing bloodshed and violations of human rights. This official condemnation from the rights body came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay [official profile] demanded a cease-fire [JURIST report] in late February.