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HRW conducted a biased investigation for the school “bombing” in Idlib?

by Mehmet Ersoy

On November 6, Human Rights Watch published a report in which the Syrian government and its allies were accused of carrying out an airstrike on a school in Idlib province in late October, 2016.
According to the report, on October 26, the school was hit by two Su-24 jets used by the Syrian and Russian AFs. Citing some witnesses, the organization claims the jets dropped from 7 to 9 parachute bombs on the school and nearby road. It says no military facilities were in school or by it and all the casualties were among civilians.
It should be noted that, basing on HRW’s report, the Western media went off blaming Assad and his allies for murdering civilians. The artificial information hysteria even forced UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon make a hasty loud statement on military crimes in Idlib.
In its turn, the next day only the Russian side could provide sound evidence of the fact that the Syrian aviation and its allies had nothing to do with the attack on the school in Hassa.
Inside Syria Media Center would like to look into the matter. In its report, HRW quotes some phone interviews with the witnesses. We attempted to contact the organization’s press desk but the human rights activists refused to provide details on the persons involved in the report.

A conversation between Inside Syria and Human Rights Watch

A conversation between Inside Syria and Human Rights Watch


In the conversation, HRW claimed the video in their report could be used as the real evidence. However, it’s quite arguable.

Doubtful video footage

The footage of an anti-governmental channel Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office published in the HRW report shows an airstrike but it’s hard to distinguish the exact place of the accident. The analysis of this video makes it clear that the international human rights organization takes into consideration only one side of the Syrian conflict i.e. the armed opposition’s militants. At the same time, it almost ignored the arguments of the other side of the conflict and marked them as untenable.

A damaged classroom is pictured after shelling in the rebel held town of Hass, south of Idlib province, Syria October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah

A damaged classroom is pictured after shelling in the rebel held town of Hass, south of Idlib province, Syria October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah


 Photos of the school in Idlib allegedly destroyed by an airstrikePhotos of the school in Idlib allegedly destroyed by an airstrike


Photos of the school in Idlib allegedly destroyed by an airstrikePhotos of the school in Idlib allegedly destroyed by an airstrike


In addition, the photos published in the media clearly show that just one wall is damaged and all the tables stand still. Moreover, not a single picture has any sign of people killed.
Besides, in its report, the organization provided no evidence of the presence of children both in the school and in Hassa village. It’s not a secret that since Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (former Jabhat al-Nusra) came to Idlib province, local schools stopped functioning.
Thus, HRW’s report mostly includes ungrounded evidence of bogus “airstrikes’ witnesses” and doubtful photos&video footages. Human Rights watch seems to have taken a biased approach towards the investigation instead of performing its direct duty – to protect the rights of civilians in Syria. HRW is obviously carrying out an information campaign on behalf of the Syrian opposition as the infamous White Helmets do.


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Categories: conflict zones, latest, Syria
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Hayden Richard
Hayden Richard
May 5, 2021 10:48 PM

Well, that was a great loss of the education sector. A lot of students were upset about the attack on their school. The https://studentscholarships.org/scholarships/485/7_best_scholarships_for_online_college_students.php demands the open inquiry work in a place so that the government will know about the actual reason for the attack. It will also help the life of the students in the future when it handled peacefully

Brian Harry, Australia
Brian Harry, Australia
Nov 16, 2016 7:16 PM

Air strikes (previously) on MSF hospitals, weddings, schools etc, and now this. The USA military/political elite, and their MSM stooges are no better than human excrement…….

mohandeer
mohandeer
Nov 16, 2016 3:52 PM

HRW were exposed once before over their false video still and witness testimony by people in the Donbass, they now have zero credibility with people who have already seen their handywork. If the UN were presented with the real footage and witness testimony HRW would be sunk. The UN, however, is just as corrupt and such travesties of honesty and integrity will continue.

mohandeer
mohandeer
Nov 16, 2016 3:46 PM

Reblogged this on Worldtruth and commented:
This isn’t the first time HRW have been shown to have provided false video footage and testimony – they were exposed by residents in the Donbass for exactly the same kind of propaganda.

Greg Bacon
Greg Bacon
Nov 16, 2016 12:12 PM

The USA is now at ‘DefCon 5,’ the lowest rating possible for nuclear war. It was hovering between 3 and 4 until the election, now it has been lowered?
What do you think it would be at if the Wicked Witch of the East had been (s)elected?
http://defconwarningsystem.com/2016/11/11/defcon-warning-system-update-111016/
I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. The neocons, Zionists, Saudis and Israelis who invested so much money and resources trying to destroy Syria will not go quietly.

mohandeer
mohandeer
Nov 16, 2016 3:49 PM
Reply to  Greg Bacon

Had Killary won the situation would be Defcon 3, only one more stage before launch.

Sav
Sav
Nov 16, 2016 12:04 PM

HRW reports are a comedy. Consist of watching a video on youtube and then contacting the uploader to say…’Yes, it’s true’.

tutisicecream
tutisicecream
Nov 16, 2016 6:54 AM

Good update.
It is noted that the Guardian, while trying to re-energise its “Support Fearless Journalism” campaign is failing miserably. Especially when it so obviously acts as an echo chamber for the failing Neo-Con’s agenda for more war.
It is sickening to see their level of reporting on Syria and other conflict areas that relies on sound bites from discredited front organisations such as the Syrian Observatory, the White Helmets and HRW. Not to forget Elliot Higgins at Ballingcat, who is another paid for stooge.
Also it is noted that “Comment Free” has replaced “Comment is Free” which has resulted in a mass exodus from the broadsheet and they still don’t get it.

deschutesmaple
deschutesmaple
Nov 16, 2016 1:52 PM
Reply to  tutisicecream

I haven’t visited the guardian news website in ages. Thanks for the update on how shitty it remains!

DavidKNZ
DavidKNZ
Nov 16, 2016 4:03 AM

Or for more details on Ken Roth / HRW duplicity, see
https://interventionswatch.wordpress.com/2015/05/09/ken-roth-keeps-on-digging/
and also the comments following.
PR using children to elicit sympathy for a cause that will generate more rather than less
suffering is particularly unsavoury IMHO

DavidKNZ
DavidKNZ
Nov 16, 2016 3:51 AM

Theres now a LOT of evidence of an extensive and expensive PR campaign using forged and staged video to discredit the Syrian government and its supporters.
Heres’s one place to start.
http://21stcenturywire.com/2016/10/18/crisis-extras-are-syrias-white-helmets-recycling-their-barrel-bomb-victims/
and also
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2016/06/gallery-dramatic-rescue-man-with-kid-runs-towards-camera-43-staged-pictures.html
The “Assad must Go” campaign is lushly funded