UN rights body slams Syria, calls for aid access

(March 02, 2012) The United Nations’ top human rights body voted on Thursday to condemn Syria for its “widespread and systematic violations” against civilians in a violent crackdown on opposition groups, as more western governments closed their embassies in Damascus over worsening security. Members of the U.N. Human Rights Council approved a resolution proposed by Turkey with 37 votes in favour and only Russia, China and Cuba voting against. Three members of the 47-nation body abstained and four didn't vote. The resolution urged Syria to immediately stop all attacks on civilians and grant unhindered access to aid groups. It also supported gathering evidence on possible crimes against humanity and other serious abuses in the fighting in Syria, so that those who committed them can be held to account at a later date. Syria's seat in the room remained empty during the vote, after the country's U.N. envoy stormed out of the council on Tuesday having accused the body of supporting terrorism and prolonging the crisis in his country. The Geneva-based council's vote carries no legal weight but diplomats consider it a strong moral signal that may encourage a similar resolution in the powerful U.N. Security Council. Russia and China have strongly opposed any such resolution in the Security Council, fearing it eventually will lead to Western military action against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.