A key U.N. committee voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to condemn human rights violations by President Bashar Assad’s government and call for an immediate end to all violence, signalling growing international opposition to Syria’s eight-month crackdown on civilians.
The nonbinding resolution adopted by the General Assembly’s human rights committee calls on Syrian authorities to implement an Arab League peace plan, agreed to earlier this month, “without further delay.” It urges the withdrawal of government tanks from the streets, the release of political prisoners, a halt to attacks on civilians, and allowing observers into the country.
The resolution, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, was approved by a vote of 122-13 with 41 abstentions. It must now be approved at a plenary session of the 193-member world body, where its adoption is virtually certain.
The resolution had more than 60 co-sponsors including Syria’s fellow Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, Bahrain and Kuwait, and neighbour Turkey, which has been outspoken in its criticism of Assad’s crackdown and is hosting Syrian opposition groups.
It was a victory for the three European powers who failed last month to win approval for a legally binding Security Council resolution threatening sanctions against Syria for its violent crackdown because of Russian and Chinese vetoes.
Germany’s U.N. Ambassador Peter Wittig said the “very impressive result” sent “a strong message to the Syrian authorities to stop violence immediately, and also a sign of hope to the Syrian people that their suffering is not ignored.”
It’s “very important that this is such a cross-regional initiative,” he told AP after the vote. “The voice of the Arabs has been heard. The region has spoken, and we support regional efforts.”
France’s U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud called the vote “a great success,” adding “we do hope that some members of the Security Council will receive the message.”
He noted that Russia and China abstained on the resolution.
Syria tried to prevent a vote on the resolution, introducing a motion to take “no action” but it was overwhelmingly defeated.
Syria’s U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari again accused Britain, France and Germany of launching a political and diplomatic and media “war against us” and encouraging armed groups to engage in violence rather than dialogue with the government.
He said even though the European powers sponsored the resolution, it was no secret that “the United States is the main inciteful mind” behind it.