U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Rosemary A. DiCarlo today reported that Syrian death toll now exceeds 5,000.
In her remarks at the Security Council Stakeout after a Briefing by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on the Situation in Syria, Ms. DiCarlo said a human rights crisis in Syria is also a threat to international peace and security.
“Commissioner Pillay reminded us that when she briefed us almost four months ago the death toll was then at 2,000. It’s now around 5,000. So it’s more than doubled in the past four months. Now, we’ve seen bold steps that the Arab League has taken. We’ve also seen that one of Syria’s close neighbors. Turkey, has taken some very bold steps, multilateral bodies as well: the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly’s Third Committee.” – Ms. DiCarlo
She noted that the sanctions that had been imposed by the European Union and the United States, is leaving the Asad regime even more isolated.
“We find it unconscionable that the Security Council has not spoken out on this issue in recent months given everything that has happened.” -Ms. DiCarlo
She stressed there’s really need to see the Security Council on the right side of history, to stand with the Syrian people. She said the world is in touch with the Arab League.
“We are very much looking forward to the results of the meetings that are going to happen in a few days, and we will be solidly behind them in support of many of the things that they and we have called for, in particular, an immediate end to all the violence, the deployment of international human right monitors, including the Commission of Inquiry, and freedom of movement for journalists as well.” -Ms. DiCarlo
