United Nations condemns Syrian violence as tanks continue Hama bombardment
Syria's brutal campaign against civilians demanding democratic reform was finally condemned by the rest of the world on Wednesday night, as security forces tightened their siege of a key city.
12:25AM BST 04 Aug 2011
CommentAs tanks rolled into the centre of Hama, where dozens of protesters have been killed this week, the United Nations Security agreed a statement criticising President Bashar al-Assad.
The city, a hub of rebel activity about 130 miles north of Damascus, had its electricity, water and phone lines cut on Wednesday as a central square was occupied by security forces and residents stayed in their homes to avoid government snipers.
Fresh explosions were reported in Hama on Wednesday, while the al-Hader neighbourhood was said to be under fierce tank shelling. Machine gun fire was reportedly heard in many parts of the city and clouds of smoke hung over many buildings.
A prominent pro-democracy activist, Suheir Atassi, said the city was being "collectively punished". "The Syrian regime is committing crimes against humanity," she told the Associated Press. "Where are the free people of the world?".
At least 1,700 people have died since March in waves of demonstrations against the government, which has been ruled by Mr Assad and his father for the past 40 years. Human rights groups say 3,000 people are missing and 12,000 have been imprisoned.
In New York, a text agreed by UN ambassadors said that the council's 15 members "condemn widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities".
It called on Syria "to fully respect human rights and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law" and said: "Those responsible for the violence should be held accountable".
But it was a watered down version of a formal resolution first proposed by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal almost two months ago, which was repeatedly blocked by eastern members of the Security Council.
The text was released as a non-binding "presidential statement". Presidential statements are understood to be on behalf of all members and no member has ever disassociated itself from one.
At the demand of countries including Russia, Brazil and India, the text also controversially called on "all sides" to "act with utmost restraint", and "refrain from reprisals, including attacks against state institutions", stopping just short of equating protesters with the government forces.
Despite its ambassador appearing to play a lacklustre part in efforts to secure the security council action, the US stepped up its rhetoric against the Syrian regime and said it as considering new ways to increase pressure on its leadership.
"Syria would be a better place without President Assad," the White House spokesman, Jay Carney, told a press conference.
The statement also called for Syrian authorities to allow aid agencies, which have been prevented from entering, “unhindered access” for humanitarian relief.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said: "It is vital that the violence and repression by the Syrian regime stops. The Syrian people are calling for peaceful change. I call on President Assad’s regime to end its violence and to allow genuine political reform."
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