A chara, – I would remind the Russian embassy (February 23rd) that obligations under international humanitarian law are just that. They are not political favours to be granted in the pursuit of strategic interests. Yes, the situation in Eastern Ghouta is complex, but the ease with which Russia has and continues to veto UN resolutions to bring about a ceasefire is unforgivable and amounts to moral barbarism. As we read reports and watch the sickening images from the ongoing conflict in Syria , I am reminded of the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, who said it is "a monstrous campaign of annihilation" against a besieged civilian population.
I, for one, would consider any government or member of the UN Security Council unwilling to stop this slaughter of innocent people guilty of war crimes. – Yours, etc,
MARY LAWLOR,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.