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Foreign Minister Westerwelle on UN Human Rights Council resolution on Syria
Following the horrific events in Houla and the continuing violence in other parts of Syria, the UN Human Rights Council today met in special session and adopted by a large majority a resolution calling for an immediate end to the human rights violations in the country.
In this connection Foreign Minister Westerwelle today (1 June) commented as follows:
I welcome the clear and unequivocal resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on Syria.
In deciding to investigate the recent atrocities in Syria, the Human Rights Council has sent the unmistakable message that whoever commits crimes such as those in Houla will be held accountable to the international community.
We will continue to employ all available political and diplomatic means to persuade the Assad regime to change course and ensure that Kofi Annan’s peace plan is finally implemented.
The resolution on Syria, which was adopted by 41 votes in favour, three against and two abstentions, calls on the Syrian authorities to end their involvement in human rights violations immediately. It also emphasizes the need to bring those responsible for grave human rights violations to justice and instructs the independent Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council in this connection to conduct an investigation into the events in Houla.