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Summary: During the Special Session on Syria, the Council adopted a resolution in which it strongly condemned the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities and decided to establish a mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, once the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry ends.
The Human Rights Council this afternoon concluded its Special Session on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic in light of the report of the Commission of Inquiry, adopting a resolution in which it strongly condemned the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities and decided to establish a mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, once the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry ends. Resolution adopted In the resolution, adopted by 37 votes in favour, 4 votes against and 6 abstentions, the Council strongly condemned the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including against children. It recommended that the main bodies of the United Nations urgently consider the report of the Commission of Inquiry and take appropriate action. Establishment of Special Rapporteur The Council also decided to establish a mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, once the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry ended, to monitor the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as to monitor the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry addressed to the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic and of the Human Rights Council's resolutions on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic and called upon the Syrian Government to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur. The Council decided to transmit the Commission of Inquiry report to the United Nations Secretary-General for appropriate action and transmission to all United Nations relevant bodies. Syria's response Syria, speaking as a concerned country before the adoption of the resolution, said that there had been many constructive criticisms of the report of the Commission of Inquiry which showed that it was biased and only presented a one-sided view of the situation in the country. Syria thanked all those supportive countries that recognized the false message in the resolution and said that the text should have called on all sections of the Syrian people to engage in a national dialogue to end the crisis. Response by UN Member States In the general debate, speakers said that the report by the Commission of Inquiry had contained truly shocking testimonies that described a reign of terror being enforced on the Syrian people including grave abuses of children’s rights with children being subjected to sexual violence, killings, excessive use of force and torture. The pattern of serious human rights violations could amount to crimes against humanity and many speakers recommended referral of the crisis to the International Criminal Court. The efforts of the League of Arab States were commended and many speakers urged Syria to cooperate with the League to resolve the crisis. There was concern that the situation in Syria could degenerate into civil war. Other speakers noted that there could be no viable solution to the crisis other than one emerging from a consensus arrived at within Syria and based on genuine dialogue among all concerned parties. Further Information: