Statement by the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council
Following the Adoption of Resolution on the deteriorating situation of human rights in Eastern Ghouta, Syria
Human Rights Council 37th Session
Geneva
March 5, 2018
On March 2, the UN Human Rights Council interrupted its regular session to hold an urgent debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria. We applaud the United Kingdom for calling for this debate, and we were proud to co-sponsor today’s resulting resolution. As the United States made clear in its statement, Russia and the Assad regime must adhere to the ceasefire and allow the delivery of much needed humanitarian aid as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2401.
Today’s resolution at the Human Rights Council provided a powerful and timely rebuke to the Syrian regime and its supporters for the continued violence in Eastern Ghouta and the egregious violations and abuses of human rights associated with the conflict. This resolution also called for the Syria Commission of Inquiry, first established by the Human Rights Council in 2011, to urgently conduct a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the recent events in Eastern Ghouta, to ensure that one day those responsible for such violations and abuses are held accountable.
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