Europe presses for Syria condemnation at UN

Britain is lobbying for new attempt to pass resolution on Syrian regime’s crackdown on protesters.

Middle East Online

Protests continue despite the heavy crackdown UNITED NATIONS - European powers stepped up calls Tuesday for international action over Syria's crackdown as the United Nations sounded the alarm over the government's blocking of a humanitarian mission. Germany told the UN Security Council that those responsible for deaths in Syria should "held accountable." France called on President Bashar al-Assad's regime to cooperate with a UN inquiry, while Britain led efforts to get a Security Council resolution condemning Syria. A western diplomatic campaign against Assad's regime produced a first success when it was revealed that Kuwait would stand against Syria for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. The world has been "deeply shocked by the violence and the brutality of the internal repression against unarmed and peaceful protesters orchestrated by the Syrian authorities," Germany's Ambassador Peter Wittig told the Security Council. While it is the responsibility of individual states to protect their civilians, Wittig said, "the international community will not turn a blind eye when there is a blatant disregard of this obligation -- this is a message that applies not only to Libya." Speaking of Syria, he said: "Those responsible for the killings should be held accountable," urging continued discussion of developments there in light of "the ongoing violence and the regional implications." Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council statement on Syria last week, but Britain is lobbying for a new attempt to pass a resolution on the crackdown, which is said to have left hundreds dead. "Despite the best efforts of the Syrian government to suppress media coverage, we have witnessed the repeated and deliberate targeting of civilians and the use of tanks and other heavy weaponry against peaceful protesters," said Britain's Deputy Ambassador Philip Parham. "We are determined that the Security Council should take measures adapted to the situations before us," added France's UN envoy Gerard Araud. Araud demanded that Syria cooperate with a UN Human Rights Council investigation into the clampdown and give humanitarian access to the protest city of Daraa and others. "I am concerned about the lack of access to parts of Syria, including Daraa and cities on the coast, including Latakia, Jablah, Baniyas and Douma," UN humanitarian agency chief Valerie Amos said in a statement. Amos raised concerns after the Syrian government blocked a UN mission to Daraa on Sunday. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon secured agreement for the mission in a phone call with Assad. Kuwait will challenge Syria's contested bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, stepping up pressure on Assad to withdraw from a May 20 vote at the UN General Assembly, diplomats said. "Kuwait have said privately that they will be standing," a diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Another envoy said "Syria has faced several calls from the Asia group to withdraw." Syria had been one of four candidates -- with India, Indonesia and the Philippines -- for four vacancies to be filled by Asia under a convention under which UN bodies are filled by regional blocs. "Kuwait's candidacy certainly reduces the chances that Syria will get elected," said Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. "Syria should see the writing on the wall and withdraw."