UNITED NATIONS – The UN general assembly’s human rights committee has condemned Syria for its eight- month crackdown on pro- democracy demonstrators in a vote backed by western nations and most Arab states.
Yesterday’s resolution, drafted by Britain, France and Germany, received 122 votes in favour, 13 against and 41 abstentions. Thirteen Arab states, including the six Arab co-sponsors, voted for it, as did Turkey.
Russia and China, which vetoed a European-drafted UN Security Council resolution last month that would have condemned Syria and would have threatened possible future sanctions, abstained, according to a UN tally, which diplomats said could indicate a shift in their positions.
Countries that voted against the resolution included Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Vietnam. – (Reuters)