UN assembly adopts Arab-backed resolution on Syria

United Nations, Feb 17: India was among 137 members of the UN General Assembly that voted on Friday to approve a resolution, which “strongly” condemns all violence and human rights violations in Syria and supports Arab League efforts to resolve the nearly year long crisis in the country.

The resolution, adopted by a vote of 137 in favour to 12 against with 17 abstentions, also called on Syria “to immediately put an end to all human rights violations and attacks against civilians.”

The vote, though non-binding in nature, is seen as a strong rebuke to President Bashar Al Assad’s continued and bloody crackdown on protesters during the pro-democracy uprising that began in March last year.

In explaining India’s vote on the UNGA resolution, Permanent Representative Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said, “We think that prolonged instability and unrest in Syria have serious implications for peace and stability in the wider region. We strongly condemn all violence, irrespective of whoever the perpetrators are. We also condemn all violations of human rights.

“Our support for the resolution adopted by this Assembly today is in accordance with our support for the efforts by the Arab League for a peaceful resolution of the crisis through a Syrian-led inclusive political process,” Puri added.

Among the nations to oppose the resolution in the 193-member General Assembly were China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela and North Korea.

Speaking before the vote in the Assembly, Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari called the draft a “biased” text that has nothing to do with the situation in his country.

PTI