LOC22:51
19:51 GMT
UNITED NATIONS -- In a related matter, Philippe Bolopion, UN director at
Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that after ten months of passivity,
during which more than 5,400 people have been killed, the Council members
"should have run out of excuses for inaction."
"Any country should be wary of supporting the position of Russia, which is
signing lucrative arms deals with the Syrian government, while providing it
with diplomatic cover," he added.
The Council members reluctant to sign on to the draft text are Russia,
China, India, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Back in October, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution that would have
condemned the Assad regime for the bloody crackdown. South Africa and India
abstained. Pakistan joined the Council only last month. Their message is that
the Council should not meddle in Syria's internal affairs.
Even though the draft text is void of any sanctions or threat of military
actions, these members still fear the wording could be used to justify a
Libya-type intervention.
These countries are "playing politics with the lives of ordinary Syrians,
Bolopion added. (end)
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