Amos: UNSC must take action to stop human rights violations in Syria

The UN Security Council must take immediate action to stop the flagrant human rights violations in Syria, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos urged.

Amos called on the Council to issue an immediate resolution to this regard and said it was unacceptable that the regime and armed opposition continue to commit blatant violations.

The Security Council failed to deliver aid in Syria, where millions have been forced to flee their homes, because of the armed conflict.

In the meantime, government forces continue their attacks on the town of Yabroud, which is controlled by the armed opposition, using aircraft and artillery fire.

This town is the last haven for the armed opposition in the Qalamoun Mountains near the border with Lebanon.

The fighting has recently intensified in Syria, as both sides are trying to strengthen their position in the negotiations taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.

Negations between the two sides are still at an impasse, as they are unable to agree on a joint agenda.

The UN and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, met with US and Russian officials who assured him that they will try to move the negotiation process forward, but he expressed concern over failure.

“Wrong model”

Amos said in a report submitted to the Security Council that: “It is unacceptable that the Council has not taken action after its members have been asking for action to be taken for four. Human rights, enshrined in international law, continue to be violated.”

She added: “All parties are failing in their responsibility to protect civilians. We understand that a war is going on, but even wars have rules.”

In reference to the decision to extend the truce in the city of Homs for another three days to allow for the evacuation of civilians, Amos said that this is not a long-term solution, adding “I alerted the Council to the plight of Homs 14 months ago and since that time we were able to evacuate only 2,500 people from the city.”

The United States, Britain and France favour a toughly-worded resolution, but it is opposed by Russia which has put forward an alternative draft on fighting what it calls “terrorism” in Syria, saying it has a plan for improving the delivery of aid, according to our correspondent.

The conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of over 100,000 people since March 2011 and has displaced about 9.5 million people from their homes.