Philippines abstains on UN vote on Syria

by Lucy Christie, Agence France-Presse
March 1, 2012

GENEVA, Switzerland – The UN’s Human Rights Council called on Syria Thursday to end all rights abuses and allow aid agencies “free and unimpeded” access to those caught up in the bloodshed.

A resolution adopted by the council condemned the “continued widespread and systematic violations of human rights” and urged the authorities to let humanitarian groups, including UN organisations, in to deliver vital aid.

Russia, China and Cuba voted against the resolution while India, the Philippines and Ecuador abstained.

Thirty-seven states voted in favour and four of the body’s 47 members did not vote.

The vote came as Syrian forces pushed on with a ground assault against the Homs neighbourhood of Baba Amr after 27 straight days of bombardments. Attempts to send relief agencies into Homs have met consistent opposition.

It is the fourth time the council has officially condemned human rights violations committed by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad since the crackdown on protests began in March last year, leaving more than 7,500 dead according to the UN.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/03/01/12/philippines-abstains-un-vote-syria-aid-access