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Assad-Regierung verurteilt

Syrien-Resolution des UNO-Menschenrechtsrates *

Der UNO-Menschenrechtsrat hat Syriens Regierung mit überwältigender Mehrheit wegen der Gewalt gegen die Opposition verurteilt.

Die Verantwortlichen des Assad- Regimes müssten zur Rechenschaft gezogen werden, verlangte das oberste UN-Gremium zum Schutz der Menschenrechte am Freitag (23. März) in Genf. Von den 47 Mitgliedern des Rates stimmten 41 für eine Verurteilung der Assad-Regierung, darunter alle arabischen und westlichen Mitglieder. Russland, China und Kuba stellten sich gegen die Resolution, Ecuador und Uganda enthielten sich der Stimme. Die Philippinen nahmen an der Abstimmung nicht teil.

Das Regime von Präsident Baschar al-Assad sei für den Artillerie- und Panzerbeschuss von Wohnvierteln verantwortlich ebenso wie für Massenhinrichtungen, Folter, sexuelle Gewalt, das Verschleppen von Menschen und gezielte Gewalt gegen Kinder, hieß es in der Resolution. Die Regierung in Damaskus müsse sofort die Grausamkeiten beenden und die legitimen Forderungen der Opposition anerkennen. Die Länder forderten Assad zudem auf, mit dem Syrien-Sondergesandten Kofi Annan zu kooperieren.

Die EU-Außenminister beschlossen am Freitag Einreiseverbote und Vermögenssperren gegen weitere zwölf Personen, darunter auch Assads Frau Asma.

Unterdessen bereitete sich die UNO auf einen Massenstrom von Flüchtlingen aus Syrien vor. In den kommenden sechs Monaten könnte die Zahl der geflohenen Syrer auf rund 100 000 steigen, warnte das Flüchtlingshilfswerk UNHCR am Freitag in Genf. Bislang seien mehr als 30 000 Syrer vor der Gewalt in ihrer Heimat in die Nachbarländer Türkei, Libanon, Jordanien und Irak geflüchtet.

Das UNHCR will mit sieben weiteren UN-Agenturen, privaten Hilfsorganisationen sowie den Regierungen der Aufnahmestaaten den Schutz und die Versorgung der syrischen Flüchtlinge sicher stellen. Viele ältere Menschen und Kinder seien unter denjenigen, die das Land verlassen hätten.

* Aus: neues deutschland, 24. März 2012


Dokumentiert: Bericht über die Diskussion im Menschenrechtsrat

Im Folgenden dokumentieren wir den Bericht über die Sitzung des Menschenrechtsrats sowie die Ergebnisse der Abstimmungen. Davon gab es nämlich zwei. Russland hatte nämlich mündliche Ergänzungen zum vorliegenden Resolutionsentwurf (der von Dänemark im Namen der Europäischen Union eingebracht wurde) vorgeschlagen. Die Ergänzungen sollten auch Gewaltakte der Oppositionskärfte in Syrien benennen und verurteilen. Der Vorschlag Russlands wurde mit großer Mehrheit abgelehnt. Die verabschiedete Resolution kann hier im Original heruntergeladen werden: "Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic" [A/HRC/19/L.38/Rev.1]

Action on Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in Syria

In a resolution (A/HRC/19/L.38/Rev.1) regarding the human rights situation in Syria, adopted by a vote of 41 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions, the Council welcomes both reports of the commission of inquiry and the recommendations made therein, and expresses profound concern about the commission’s findings that Government forces have committed widespread, systematic and gross human rights violations that may amount to crimes against humanity with the apparent knowledge and consent of the highest levels of the State; condemns in the strongest terms the sharply escalating widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms perpetrated by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, refugees, human rights defenders and journalists, including recent deaths of Syrian and foreign journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including of adolescents and children; also condemns the attacks against civilians in cities and villages across the country, including the artillery bombardments of residential areas; demands that the Syrian authorities meet their responsibility to protect their population; is deeply troubled by the Commission of Inquiry’s finding that there are reasonable grounds to believe that particular individuals, including commanding officers and officials at the highest levels of Government, bear responsibility for crimes against humanity; urges unhindered access for all humanitarian actors into the country; demands that the Syrian authorities respect the popular will and demands of the Syrian people; put an immediate end to all attacks against journalists; take immediate steps to ensure the safety of foreign nationals in the Syrian Arab Republic, including refugees and diplomatic staff; lift the blockade of Homs, Dar’a, Zabadani and all other cities under siege; and calls upon the Syrian authorities to implement the League’s Plan of Action of 2 November 2011 in its entirety. The Council decides to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution S-17/1, and requests the commission to continue its work, to provide an oral update to the Council at an interactive dialogue at its twentieth session and to present also a written updated report at an interactive dialogue at its twenty-first session; requests the Commission of Inquiry to conduct and continuously update a mapping exercise of gross violations of human rights since March 2011, including an assessment of casualty figures, and to publish it periodically; calls on the Syrian authorities to cooperate fully with the commission of inquiry, including by granting it unhindered access to the country; and recommends that the main bodies of the United Nations urgently consider the reports of the commission of inquiry and take appropriate action to address human rights violations, as well as crimes against humanity that may have been committed.

A vote was conducted on oral amendments proposed by the Russian Federation, and the amendments were rejected by a vote of four in favour, 33 against, and nine abstentions.

The result of the vote was as follows:

In favour (4): China, Cuba, Ecuador and Russian Federation.

Against (33): Austria, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, United States and Uruguay.

Abstentions (9): Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Thailand and Uganda.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 41 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions.

The result of the vote was as follows:

In favour (41): Angola, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United States and Uruguay.

Against (3): China, Cuba and Russian Federation.

Abstentions (2): Ecuador and Uganda.


Denmark, introducing draft resolution L.38/Rev.1 on behalf of the European Union, said the human rights situation was deteriorating every day in Syria. The European Union condemned the excessive use of force against civilians and the shelling of densely populated areas. Thousands had died. The European Union was deeply troubled by the suffering of the Syrian people and called on the authorities to open the country to humanitarian access. The Syrian authorities had failed in their responsibility to protect their people and had committed human rights violations that could amount to crimes against humanity. There was no choice but to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry, which was asked to conduct a mapping exercise of the human rights violations. The authorities were asked to open up the country to the Commission. The European Union welcomed the efforts of the Arab League and the appointment of Kofi Annan as a Special Envoy. Denmark asked the Council to send a strong and unified message of support to the people of Syria.

Russian Federation, speaking in a general comment, said that opposition groups in Syria had carried out acts of violence against the Government. Human rights defenders had collected data which showed that there were illegal abductions of Government officials, civilians and soldiers by armed opposition groups. Russia proposed oral amendments to the text to reflect the terrorist attacks that had occurred in the country.

Qatar, considering the oral amendments submitted by the Russian Federation, said these oral amendments could not be accepted because the text already contained language as proposed by the Russian Federation. Qatar called for a vote on the amendments and urged all Members to vote against them.

Cuba, speaking in a general comment, said there was no objectivity or balanced information on the situation in Syria and stressed its concern for victims of violence in any of its forms. Cuba recognized the efforts of the Syrian authorities to use dialogue to overcome the situation. The amendments could not be rejected because they were balanced and would help facilitate the end of this situation. Cuba would vote for the amendments proposed by the Russian Federation.

Belgium, speaking in a general comment on behalf of the European Member States who were members of the Council, gave full support to Qatar. Belgium did not understand why the amendments were being proposed, as there had been consultations with the Russian Federation in the development of the draft text. It was clear that the text addressed the violence, legal responsibility and accountability concerned. All sponsors of the draft test would vote against the amendment and Belgium called on all to vote against it.

Saudi Arabia, speaking in a general comment, supported the statement made by Qatar. The resolution had the support of a large number of countries and needed no amendments.

Syria, speaking as the concerned country, condemned the resolution because it was out of the scope of the mandate of the Council and reflected a biased and politicized viewpoint. The Government of Syria had attempted to make a positive contribution to the text which was categorically rejected by the sponsors. The resolution did not reflect the reality on the ground including the role of armed gangs, their crimes and their refusal to engage in dialogue with the Government and the negative impact of economic sanctions. Syria feared that the efforts of Kofi Annan and other United Nations bodies would fail to resolve the crisis. A clear message should be sent to condemn terrorism. The co-authors had played a negative role in drafting this text for political ends that would lead to civil war. The resolution had not provided a positive appeal for inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis and Syria rejected it and appealed to all Member States to vote against it.

Russian Federation, speaking in an explanation of the vote before the vote, said the Russian Federation had been an active participant in resolving the situation in Syria and working on the draft resolution. The draft had not reflected the positive changes taking place in Syria. The Russian Federation saw no positive outcome resulting from the resolution. It would not lead to a peaceful settlement. It contradicted the recent presidential statement. It set the international community back in settling the crisis. There was no mention of terrorism or the victims of terrorism. The passing interest of the moment overrode professionalism and common sense. Russia asked for a vote and appealed to members of the Council to vote against.

China, speaking in an explanation of the vote before the vote, said China’s consistent position was that differences in human rights should be resolved through constructive dialogue and cooperation. China was following the situation in Syria closely and was a strong advocate for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis. It was imperative that all parties stop the violence and express political propositions through non-violent means. All parties had to commence political dialogue without preconditions and without a predetermined outcome. It was unfortunate that the resolution did not give a balanced perspective to the situation and China would vote against it.

Ecuador, speaking in an explanation of the vote before the vote, said Ecuador regretted that the Council did not adopt the proposed amendments which aimed at putting an end to impunity. The Universal Periodic Review was the most adequate and ideal instrument for assessment of the human rights situation of all States. Ecuador asked Syria to implement the recommendations of its Universal Periodic Review. Ecuador appealed to the Government and the armed opposition to respect the human rights of the population and seek peaceful dialogue in order to solve the crisis. External meddling had exacerbated the conflict. Ecuador would abstain from the vote.

Thailand, speaking in an explanation of the vote after the vote on item 4, said Thailand joined the international community in expressing grave concerns over the continuing violence in Syria. Thailand had voted in favour of this resolution out of its genuine concern for the need for the Council to address both the human rights and humanitarian situations on the ground. The draft resolution could have been more balanced by calling on armed opposition groups to halt violence and by ensuring that the allegations of human rights violations by all sides would be addressed in an equal manner.

Source: http://www.ohchr.org/

Resolution A/HRC/19/L.38/Rev.1

Full text of the Resolution: "Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic"




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