The Human Rights Council this morning adopted a resolution on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. 

On the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Council adopted by a vote of 24 in favour, 4 against and 18 abstentions a resolution in which it demanded that the Syrian Arab Republic meet its responsibility to respect and protect the human rights of all persons within its jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the applicable international law obligations of the Syrian Arab Republic.  The Council also demanded that all parties to the conflict respect the human rights of all persons.

In a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.16) on the Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, adopted by a vote of 24 in favour, 4 against and 18 abstentions, the Council demands that the Syrian Arab Republic meet its responsibility to respect and protect the human rights of all persons within its jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the applicable international law obligations of the Syrian Arab Republic; calls upon the Syrian authorities to protect returning refugees and internally displaced persons from human rights violations and abuses and to help create the conditions necessary for the return of refugees; demands that the processes for reclaiming property required by authorities throughout the Syrian Arab Republic, predominantly the regime, comply with the principles on housing and property restitution for refugees and displaced persons and are equally accessible, in particular for women; calls upon all parties to the conflict, first and foremost the Syrian authorities, to release immediately all persons subjected to enforced disappearance in the Syrian Arab Republic and to provide accurate information to the families of those who are missing regarding their fate and whereabouts; calls upon all parties to the conflict to adopt a more effective response to sexual and gender-based violence across the whole of the Syrian Arab Republic; condemns restrictions imposed on journalists and civil society throughout the Syrian Arab Republic; demands that all parties to the conflict respect the human rights of all persons, including their right to life, liberty and security of person and rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and movement, without discrimination; and decides to remain seized of the matter.

The results of the vote were as follows:

In favour (24): Argentina, Belgium, Benin, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Czechia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Honduras, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mexico, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Romania, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.

Against (4): Bolivia, China, Cuba and Eritrea.

Abstentions (18): Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Gambia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Viet Nam.

• Statement on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. As delivered by the UK's Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley. See attached PDF.

 

• Statements of Representatives of:
  • Belgium
  • USA
  • France
  • Syria
  • Cuba
  • China

 

• Vote: adoption of the resolution L16