Human Rights Council, Geneva : UK Statement introducing the Resolution on Syria, 28 March 2014
The UK joins the statement made by Saudi Arabia on a resolution titled "the continuing grave deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic".
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
Thank you, Mr President.
I would like to join the statement made by my Saudi Arabian colleague on a resolution titled “the continuing grave deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic”.
It is with great regret that the UK, along with our main sponsors, once more presents a resolution on Syria at the Human Rights Council. For the last three years, this Council has expressed its deepest concern over the gravely deteriorating human rights situation and the armed conflict in Syria.
The crisis in Syria continues to have the most devastating impact on civilians. Men, women and children are being denied their fundamental freedoms and the ability to exercise their human rights day after day after day. We remain very concerned about indiscriminate attacks and the deliberate targeting of protected civilians, and this contravenes international law. The indiscriminate aerial bombardments of civilian areas must stop immediately.
The resolution we present today is a balanced text, reflecting the call on all parties to end violence and respect international law.
The resolution has three key aims.
Firstly, to renew the mandate of the commission of inquiry.
Secondly, to condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and the violation and abuses of international human rights law.
Thirdly, to support current and future efforts on accountability.
We believe that this resolution represents a measured response to what is the worst human rights situation that this Council has ever dealt with. The resolution deserves the broadest support within the Council and we hope it can be adopted by consensus. Otherwise we are letting down the very people that this Council is duty bound to protect.
The people of Syria look to our support at this most difficult of times.
Thank you.