(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned Thursday that the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus is beginning to resemble a death camp, as its residents, including 3,500 children, are being turned into human shields.
In press statement, Ban described the situation there as a "double-edged sword," since the refugees face the armed elements inside the camp, as well as the government forces outside.
With the latest worrying reports of a massive assault on the camp and all civilians in it, the UN Chief said that this would be yet one more outrageous war crime for which those responsible must be held accountable.
He urged an immediate stabilization of the situation there.
Nevertheless, he joined the Security Council in demanding an end to hostilities, access to humanitarian assistance, and safe passage for civilians who wish to escape safely.
He then called on all member states "with influence on the Government and all parties on the ground" to take all steps necessary to send a clear message that civilians must be spared.
Yesterday, the Secretary General met with the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, and will be leaving this weekend to partake in the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice hosted by Doha, Qatar on April 12.
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