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AJC Welcomes UN Security Council Action on Syria

NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomed the UN Security Council presidential statement condemning Syria, but expressed disappointment that the Council's members could not agree on a resolution, which would have been a stronger and more meaningful response to the atrocities committed by the Bashar al-Assad regime.

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"As the UN Security Council met over the past three days, the Assad regime has significantly increased its violent repression of the Syrian people," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "The extent of the carnage wrought by Assad in Hama, Homs, Daraa and other cities over the past four months demands stronger international condemnation and action."

The United States and European Union have imposed some financial and travel sanctions on Assad and other top Syrian officials, and are considering new measures targeting the country's energy sector. But China and Russia have adamantly opposed such punitive actions, and together with Brazil, India, Lebanon, and South Africa, also have blocked a proposed Security Council resolution that would not only condemn Syria, but would support an earlier UN Human Rights Council resolution, adopted in April, that called for sending a team to Syria to investigate the situation.

"Russia, China and some other Security Council members have been complicit in obstructing global efforts to support the courageous Syrian protestors and to convince Assad to stop the ruthless campaign of violence against his own people," said Harris. "The Syrian people deserve more empathy and firmer action by the UN. Regrettably, several of the Security Council members have chosen to ignore their anguish."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee