In a Press Association report, the UN's top human rights body used a special session to say it "unequivocally condemns the use of lethal violence" by Syrian authorities against peaceful demonstrators and the "hindrance to access of medical treatment."
The session demanded that, President Assad's government immediately stop the violence, release political prisoners and lift restrictions on media and access to the Internet. Although the Western resolution was watered down, it managed to rally crucial African and Latin American support to overcome Russia and China's opposition to international condemnation. Several nations including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar also abstained or were unusually absent when the vote was called, despite Syria's warnings that the resolution "sent the wrong message" to violent protesters. (7, abstentions, 5, absent) Kia Jungge, Chinese Ambassador at the UN said, "We believe if we adopt this, this will only complicate the situation of human rights in Syria and will increase tension in the country." Although Brazil voted for the condemnation of Syria, Brazilian Ambassador, Maia Nazareth Fararu Azeredo, later criticised the West for not seeking similar action on clampdowns by allies in the Middle East. In response to criticism, the US Ambassador, Eileen Chamberlain Donahue said, "we don't have a cookie cutter approach. The US is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Bahrain, Yemen and throughout the Middle East and North Africa and we remain seized of these situations." In the United States, President Obama signed an executive order imposing sanctions against the intelligence agency, Assad's cousin, Atif Najib and his (Assad) brother, Maher who commands the army division which stormed into Deraa to quell the protests. Although non verifiable, this was apparently because soldiers from another unit would not fire on the civilians there. She also acknowledged that Syria needed time to carry out reforms. There were yet more protests on Friday, with protesters calling it "Friday of rage". It seems now, that the demonstrations have reached Damascus, which we are told, is crucial as support for Assad is high in the capital. There are some who are beginning to wonder, just who is in power and who has control in Syria, the West would like to believe that Bashar al Assad is a reformer at heart, his brother Maher is said to have stopped the last set of reforms. Most analysts believe that US sanctions will have little effect as Syrians, in general, have little investment in the West. Murmurings are coming from Turkey wishing to help the situation, because it has no wish to have two unstable neighbours. In an article by Kadri Gursel, he writes, Turkey cannot have the luxury of remaining silent in the happenings in Syria. It has the image of will to help Ba'ath regime survive in Syria and agrees with the issues of the Syrians, Iranians, Hezbollah being a problem in their area too. As we go into the weekend, Syria will be watched, it still has time to turn this situation around but they will need to be seen to do something, just saying you are going to do, is not going to be good enough. However, you do not sense that any sort of force is about to be introduce by the UN, US or any other entity. The Syrian people may just start wondering if they are going to be left to fate. At this point, the international community have used strong words, I think it could be some time before any sort of agreement to do more will be agreed upon. I wonder if that is what the Syrian regime knows. It is buying them time, hopefully to introduce radical reforms although, at this point it may buy them time to stamp out the fire of protest and subdue the people, if that should happen, what will the long term consequences be?
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