Syrian forces continue to kill civilians in an escalating crackdown on pro-democracy protests. At least six people were killed earlier today, pushing the toll to at least 150 over the last two days. At least 100 people were killed on Sunday by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in the flashpoint city of Hama, and at least 25 were killed in the gas and oil hub of Deir ez-Zor. Despite falling on the opening of the holy month of Ramadan, the violence persisted Monday as army tanks shelled Hama indiscriminately. Germany has declared an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in the hopes of reviving a draft resolution condemning the Assad regime. Russia, China and Brazil have opposed the move, arguing it could provide a pretext for military intervention as seen in Libya. Reed Brody of Human Rights Watch said Syrians are now paying the price for the consequences of the NATO assault on Libya.

Reed Brody: “Countries like Russia and China, but also South Africa, India and Brazil, who are stopping the Security Council from acting, who are stopping the International Criminal Court from getting involved, who are allowing Bashar to continue the killing, these countries have blood on their hands. The Syrian people are paying the price for what is perceived as an endless intervention in Libya. And so, China and Russia and these countries are saying, 'Oh, no, we are not signing up again,' but the problem is that by refusing to act, they are allowing the massacres to continue.”