Former detainees from Syria's detention centres describe torture methods they were subjected to while in prison Reuters

Evidence that Syrian intelligence agencies systematically use torture and ill treatment that constitutes a crime against humanity is laid out in a report that activists say they hope will serve as a basis for future prosecutions.

Information given by former Syrian detainees and defectors has identified the locations, agencies responsible, torture methods used, and in many cases the commanders in charge of 27 detention facilities run by the country's four main intelligence and security organisations, according to Human Rights Watch.



The 81-page report by the New York-based watchdog relies on over 200 interviews conducted since the start of demonstrations against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011. According to opposition activists some 15,000 people have been killed since then.

On Monday, the Syrian government announced new penalties for terrorist crimes after Assad declared last week the country was in a state of "real war."

The HRW report includes maps locating detention facilities, video interviews with former detainees and sketches of torture techniques described by people who witnessed or experienced torture.

"The intelligence agencies are running an archipelago of torture centres scattered across the country," said Ole Solvang, HRW emergencies researcher.

"By publishing their locations, describing the torture methods, and identifying those in charge we are putting those responsible on notice that they will have to answer for these horrific crimes."

HRW called on the UN security council to refer the situation in Syria to the international criminal court (ICC) and to adopt "targeted sanctions" against officials credibly implicated in the abuses.

Britain and other western governments have repeatedly warned Syria that officials will be held accountable. But Russia and China have blocked calls to refer Assad or members of his government to the ICC, which requires a request by the security council. This is in stark contrast to Libya where the council referred Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi to the ICC early on in the conflict.

Former detainees said they had been subjected to torture or witnessed the torture of others during their detention.

"Interrogators, guards, and officers used a broad range of torture methods, including prolonged beatings, often with objects such as batons and cables, holding the detainees in painful stress positions for prolonged periods of time, the use of electricity, burning with acid, sexual assault and humiliation, the pulling of fingernails, and mock execution," the report says.

A 31-year-old detainee described how he was tortured him in Idlib central prison: "They forced me to undress. Then they started squeezing my fingers with pliers. They put staples in my fingers, chest and ears. I was only allowed to take them out if I spoke. The staples in the ears were the most painful. They used two wires hooked up to a car battery to give me electric shocks. They used electric stun-guns on my genitals twice. I thought I would never see my family again. They tortured me like this three times over three days."

Most of the torture victims interviewed were young men between 18 and 35 but the victims interviewed also included children, women and the elderly.

"The individuals who carried out or ordered crimes against humanity bear individual criminal responsibility under international law, as do those in a position of command whose subordinates committed crimes that they were aware of or should have been aware of and failed to prevent or punish," said HRW.

"This command responsibility would apply not only to the officials overseeing detention facilities, but also to the heads of intelligence agencies, members of government, and the head of state, President Bashar al-Assad."

Foreign secretary William Hague said the report sounded a clear warning that there was "no hiding place" for those responsible for such crimes.

"I welcome today's report by Human Rights Watch on the situation in Syria. It highlights the horror of what is happening. The scale of the barbaric acts that are being carried out by the regime against the population is appalling.

"Those responsible for systematic and widespread human rights violations should not delude themselves: we and our international partners will do everything we can to ensure that they will face justice," he said

"Where we have evidence of individuals' responsibility for acts of violence and repression, the UK will work with EU partners to impose sanctions on them."