Foreign Office Minister welcomes adoption of a resolution on human rights situation in Syria
Welcoming a resolution on the human rights situation, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said that Syria desperately needs to listen to and respect the shared concerns of the international community.
On 19 December the UN General Assembly Plenary adopted a 3rd Committee resolution on Syria, with an increased majority.
Commenting on the resolution the Foreign Office Minister said:
“I welcome the adoption of this third Committee resolution by the Plenary of the UN General Assembly. Syria desperately needs to listen to and respect the shared concerns of the international community. The Syrian regime must stop violently repressing peaceful protest and ignoring the legitimate concerns of the people.
“I am appalled by the Syrian regime’s ongoing brutality towards its citizens and the reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, including the rape of children. I am also concerned by a growing accumulation of reports suggesting a regime shoot to kill policy. The UN Human Rights Commission of Inquiry has stated that such systematic and widespread attacks may constitute crimes against humanity. I firmly believe that those responsible for such horrific actions must be held to account.
“The UK continues to call on President Assad to step aside and allow a credible reform process to begin. We strongly support the efforts of the Arab League to resolve the ongoing crisis in Syria.”