SWITZERLAND: The main United Nations human rights body condemns the government of President Bashar al-Assad for human rights violations in Syria

Record ID: 280375

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: The main United Nations human rights body condemns the government of President Bashar al-Assad for human rights violations in Syria
  • Date: 2nd March 2012
  • Summary: EMPTY SEAT OF SYRIA DURING THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL WIDE SHOT OF U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N., EILEEN CHAMBERLAIN DONAHOE, WALKING AND TALKING ON THE PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N., EILEEN CHAMBERLAIN DONAHOE, SAYING: "I think that the vote speaks for itself. There is an overwhelming international consensus on the human
  • Embargoed: 17th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland, Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVABPMUGOQB66C4AS0DIIV1SO6XG
  • Story Text: The United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Syria on Thursday (March 01) for widespread violations that may amount to crimes against humanity and called for a halt to attacks against civilians.
    The 47-member forum, holding an urgent debate, voted by 37 states in favour, 3 against including China and Russia, and 3 abstentions, to adopt a resolution brought by Gulf countries with Western backing. Four delegations did not take part in the vote. Syria was not present.
    The resolution condemns "the widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities".
    These included shelling of civilian areas that has killed "thousands of innocent civilians", executions, the killing and persecution of protesters, the deaths of Syrian and foreign journalists, arbitrary detention and interference with access to medical care.
    "I think that the vote speaks for itself," U.S. Human Rights ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe told Reuters TV.
    "There is an overwhelming international consensus on the human rights situation in Syria and in fact the humanitarian crisis that has been created by the Assad regime. That is the meaning of this vote. There is a broad, deep international consensus."
    "I think the isolation of China, Russia and Cuba is sad but it was expected," Chamberlain Donahoe said, adding "they are on the wrong side of history and I think that this outcome may help them understand that they're in the wrong".
    France's ambassador to the U.N., Nicolas Niemtchinow said "it's evident that this resolution is absolutely clear and marks the growing international isolation of Syria who now needs to act on behalf of the demands of the international community."
    The 47-member Geneva forum resumed a debate, begun on Tuesday, but the Syrian delegation appeared to boycott the talks after its ambassador Faysal Khabbaz Hamoui stormed out of on Tuesday. The Syrian seat remained empty on Thursday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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