UN Security Council condemns use of force by Syria

[News_Editor]

UN Security Council condemns use of force by Syria

2011-08-04 19:55:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council has condemned the Syrian government's continuing crackdown on anti-government protesters, calling for an end to the violence and urging all sides to act with restraint and refrain from reprisals, including attacks against State institutions.

The President of the Security Council for August and Permanent Representative of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, read a statement which condemns the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities.

It also expressed the council's "profound regret" at the death of hundreds of people during mass protests in Syria and urged the authorities in Damascus to fully respect human rights and comply with their obligations under international law.

Syria has been shaken by deadly civil unrest since mid-March, driven by calls for greater civil liberties. The strife followed similar protests which toppled entrenched regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, led to a civil war in Libya and caused unrest in Bahrain and Yemen.

The Council said it took note of Syria's stated commitment to the implementation of reforms, but expressed regret over the lack of progress, calling on the Government to carry out the promised political changes.

The UN Security Council statement stressed that "the only solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process, with the aim of effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations of and concerns of the population which will allow the full exercise of fundamental freedoms for its entire population, including that of expression and peaceful assembly."

The Council further called upon the Syrian authorities to alleviate the humanitarian situation in crisis areas by ceasing the use of force to allow quick and unhindered access for relief workers, and cooperate fully with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the Council's statement, saying it sent a "clear message" from the international community to the Syrian authorities to stop their "brutally shocking" actions. He once again urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to cease all acts of violence, stating that the aspirations of the citizens of the country must be addressed.

The Security Council statement came as Syrian security forces again advanced with tanks on Wednesday into the restive city of Hama, a center of discontent and bastion of anti-government protests where violent tensions have increased in the past days. It left dozens people killed, adding to nearly 200 people who have been killed in recent days.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and more than 10,000 others have been arrested in Syria since the anti-government demonstrations began in mid-March.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-04

[koheesti]

Well, then, that ends that crisis.

[Ulysses G.]

You can always count on the UN.