UN Chief Urges Rights Officials to Lead on Syria

UN Chief Urges Rights Officials to Lead on Syria

(AP) UN chief urges rights officials to lead on Syria
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press
GENEVA
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the world’s foremost human rights body on Monday to keep up the pressure on major powers to end the civil war and rights abuses in Syria.

At the opening of the U.N. Human Rights Council’s month long session, Ban told diplomats that he was “deeply troubled by the aerial bombardments of civilians by government forces; by the increasing sectarian tensions; by the deteriorating humanitarian situation; and by the apparent choice of both sides to pursue a solution through force rather than dialogue.”

The U.N. chief called on all nations, including the 47 that are members of the Geneva-based council, to unite behind the efforts of his special envoy to Syria, but also to “maintain its vigilance on Syria, including on the question of accountability” for suspected abuses.

He said the body should apply pressure of its own to the situation, independent of the more powerful New York-based Security Council that can impose financial sanctions and authorize peacekeeping missions and even military action.

An independent panel set up by the Human Rights Council to look into rights abuses in Syria had recommended that the council’s president forward its report to Ban, who could bring it to the attention of the Security Council. Earlier this year, the council also said in a resolution that it agreed with Navi Pillay, the U.N.’s top human rights official, in her call for action by the International Criminal Court based at The Hague.

But Russia and China, two of the five veto-wielding permanent members on that 15-nation council, have effectively blocked major powers from responding in a coordinated fashion to the Syria crisis.

The panel’s report could be used by world powers to justify tougher outside action against Syria, or strengthen calls for an international investigation and prosecution of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ban seemed to support that approach.

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