Syria: "These crimes cannot be allowed to continue"
FCO Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt has welcomed the strong action taken by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has held a third Special Session on Syria in response to the latest independent UN report on the human rights situation. It has adopted a resolution which reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the regime’s human rights violations and establishes a human rights special rapporteur on Syria.
Commenting today, Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said:
“It is extremely significant that the Human Rights Council held its third consecutive Special Session today to address the appalling human rights situation in Syria. I welcome the strong action taken by the Council, and the hard-hitting resolution which it passed today by a very large majority. The resolution supports the Arab League’s efforts to end the bloodshed in Syria and lays out exactly why the EU and UNGA have taken such robust measures. It sends a very strong signal from countries across the world, including Arab partners, that they utterly condemn the horrific violations perpetrated by the Assad regime, and will continue to increase pressure on it. Today’s resolution adds to the mounting pressure which the international community is bringing to bear on Syria.
“The UN Commission of Inquiry’s report on Syria clearly shows that the Assad regime will stop at nothing, including killing and torturing young children, in their efforts to cling to power. These crimes cannot be allowed to continue. Syria is becoming increasingly isolated, and we will continue to do all we can to bring an immediate end to the violence.”