Syria bans iPhone to cover up protest clampdown:

[tabatha]

Syrian activists based in Beirut provided dpa with a copy of a ban they said was issued by the Customs Department of the Syrian Finance Ministry.

"The authorities warn anyone against using the iPhone in Syria," read the statement.

...

"Steve Jobs must be turning in his grave on learning that his iconic device is banned in his home country," he added.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/world/2011/12/02/syria-bans-iphone-to-cover-up-protest-clampdown-report

[tabatha]

1. Steve Jobs's Syrian father bashes the Assad regime

DavidKenner DavidKenner
Steve Jobs's Syrian father bashes the Assad regime, declares his support for the protesters. (h/t @leila_na) youtube.com/watch?v=TuTAHr…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuTAHr2CHPo&feature=youtu.be

[ellisonz]

2. U.N. rights council condemns Syrian abuses

By Joe Sterling, CNN
updated 1:32 PM EST, Fri December 2, 2011

(CNN) -- The U.N. Human Rights Council decried a wide range of human rights violations in Syria on Friday and called for U.N. bodies to consider a recent report detailing the abuses and take" appropriate action."

The council passed a resolution that "strongly condemns the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including against children."

There were 37 yes votes, four against and six abstentions at the meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. The group convened to consider action against Syria after a troubling report issued Monday by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, a body appointed by the council. That report concluded security and military forces "committed crimes against humanity" against civilians.

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Russia, China, Cuba and Ecuador voted against the resolution. Uganda, Philippines, India, Cameroon, Bangladesh, and Angola abstained.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/02/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?eref=rss_world

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