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Summary: On 28 March, the Human Rights Council held an urgent debate on the human rights and humanitarian situation in Syria.
Opening the urgent debate on Syria, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the United Nations General Assembly, said the report on Syria published by the Commission of Inquiry provided a dire image of the situation on the ground. The Syrian Government had manifestly failed in its duty to protect its people. Its forces had committed gross human rights violations. He supported the appointment of Kofi Annan as a Special Envoy to Syria and commended his efforts to engage with those involved. 'Rapidly deterioating situation' Navi Pillay, UN Human Rights Chief, said that since she had briefed the General Assembly on the human rights situation in Syria, her Office had received disturbing reports of a rapidly deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation. The High Commissioner called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to end the fighting and bombardments and called upon the Syrian authorities to cooperate fully with international mechanisms, including Mr. Kofi Annan, joint Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and the League of Arab States to Syria, and allow an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights field presence in Syria. Syria's response Speaking as the concerned country, Syria condemned the holding of the meeting and said that it was an effort to politicize the High-level Segment of the Human Rights Council. The Council was not an appropriate forum for such matters. The world had recently seen serious distorting of humanitarian intervention and civilian protection; some countries used those concepts to change regimes and destroy the infrastructure of targeted States. The call for the holding of this meeting was part of a pre-established plan to attack Syria under the pretext of addressing humanitarian needs. UN Member States voice concerns In the debate, speakers said the Syrian Government was responsible for protecting its population and President Assad should step aside to allow for a peaceful political transition. The Council needed to call for an immediate end to the violence, stress the responsibility of Syria to protect its population and continue to closely monitor the situation. The Syrian Government had to take all measures possible to stop human rights violations and establish a commission to investigate these violations. Humanitarian corridors needed to be opened. Nations must demonstrate today that the world stood united with the people of Syria, for they represented their country's future, just as Assad and his murderous cohort represented its past. Systematic and gross violations of human rights were being committed in Syria on a daily basis by Government forces and those might amount to crimes against humanity. The other view Other speakers were concerned about appeals for regime change in Syria and of those who advocated the use of force and violence to resolve the conflict. They rejected any attempt to undermine Syria's sovereignty and territorial independence and demanded full respect for the principles of self-determination and sovereignty of this Arab nation. The leadership of Syria was a matter for the Syrian people to decide. Political dialogue should be built upon the political reforms already announced. The debate should be guided by prudence and cooperation rather than strategic expediency. Speakers said they did not approve of armed intervention or the imposition of so-called regime change in Syria. They appreciated the efforts of countries in the region to establish a peaceful resolution. Discussions in the Council should be constructive and conducive to a peaceful solution. Speakers rejected any attempt at foreign military intervention and welcomed and supported the efforts made by Mr. Kofi Annan. A solution to the crisis should incorporate three elements: a democratic approach based on the self-determination of people, absolute respect for human rights, and a respect of the sovereignty of Syria. Talks to continue The Council suspended its urgent debate at 2:40 p.m. to resume its High-level Debate. It was due to resume its urgent debate around 5:30 p.m. today and will continue until 7 p.m. More to follow shortly...... Further Information