Inner City Press -- Investigative Reporting From the Inner City to Wall Street to the United Nations

Russia's Syria Amendments, Here, May Not Be Voted On in GA, 2/3 Claim

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 15, updated with text -- Russia has circulated amendments to the General Assembly resolution on Syria that is slated to be voted on February 16 at 3 pm.

  Based on interviews Inner City Press conducted outside and after a Russia convened meeting Wednesday, it is possible or even probable that no vote will be called on these amendments; a "no action" motion is possible but would likely fail.

  An attendee told Inner City Press that Russia inside the meeting said, "we vote against and make a statement."

  The Russian position, expressed to Inner City Press outside th emeeting, is that "on political issues relevant to Security Council, under rules of procedure, have to collect two thirds majority... Because of the lack of consultations, "we were forced to make ourselves clear vocally, at least we make it clear what the text is deprived of."

 The amendments are similar to the Security Council amendments that Inner City Press first obtained and published on Saturday morning February 4, including that "in conjunction with the end of attacks by armed groups against state institutions and quarters of cities and towns." This last was (mis) presented at the stakeout and after as not "in conjunction" but armed groups leaving before the government.

 Here is what Russia circulated, with additions in bold and omissions struck through, as obtained by Inner City Press:

As obtained by InnerCityPress.com

 

  The General Assembly,

        Recalling its resolution 66/176 of 19 December 2011, as well as Human Rights Council resolutions S/16-1, S/17-1 and S/18-1,

 

        Expressing grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in Syria, in particular the ongoing human rights violations and use of violence by the Syrian authorities against its population,

 

        Reaffirming the role of regional and subregional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security as set out in Chapter VIII of the Charter,

 

        Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, and to the principles of the Charter,

 

        Reaffirming that all Member states of the United Nations should refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, interference in internal affairs of independent states or acts in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations,

 

        Welcoming the engagement of the Secretary-General and all diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the crisis,

- (optional). Expressing support for the broad trend of political transition to democratic, plural political systems in the Middle East;

 

 

        1.     Reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and stresses the need to resolve the current political crisis in Syria peacefully; 

 

        2.     Strongly condemns the continued widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities, especially the use of force against civilians such as the use of force against civilians, arbitrary executions, killing and persecution of protestors,

human rights defenders, and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence, and ill-treatment, including against children;

 

        3.     Calls upon the Syrian government to immediately put an end to all human rights violations and attacks against civilians, protect its population, fully comply with its obligations under applicable international law and fully implement Human Rights Council resolutions S-16/1, S-17/1, S-18/1 and its resolution 66/176, including by cooperating fully with the independent international commission of inquiry;

 

        4.     Condemns all violence, irrespective of where it comes from, and calls upon all parties in Syria, including armed groups,  to immediately stop  all violations of human rights, including intimidation of civilians and attacks against state institutions  in accordance with the League of Arab States’ initiative;

 

        4 bis. Calls for all sections of the Syrian opposition to dissociate themselves from armed groups engaged in acts of violence and urges Member States and all those in a position to do so to use their influence to prevent continued violence by such groups;

 

 

        5.     Stressing again the importance to ensure accountability and the need to end impunity and hold to account those responsible for human rights violations, including those that may amount to crimes against humanity,

 

        6.     Demands that the Syrian government, in accordance with the Plan of Action of the League of Arab States of 2 November 2011 and its decisions of 22 January and 12 February 2012, without delay:

 

        (a)   cease all violence and protect its population;

        (b)   release all persons detained arbitrarily due to the recent incidents;

        (c)    withdraw all Syrian military and armed forces from cities and towns, and return them to their original home barracks in conjunction with the end of attacks by armed 

 

groups against state institutions and quarters of cities and towns;

        (d)   guarantee the freedom of peaceful demonstrations;

        (e)   allow full and unhindered access and movement for all relevant League of Arab States’ institutions and Arab and international media in all parts of Syria to determine the truth about the situation on the ground and monitor the incidents taking place; and

       

 

        7.    Calls for an inclusive Syria-led political process conducted in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation and extremism, and aimed at effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syria's people,;       

 

        8.  Fully supports the League of Arab States’ 22 January 2012 decision to facilitate a Syrian-led political transition to a democratic, plural political system, in which citizens are equal regardless of their affiliations or ethnicities or beliefs, including through commencing a serious political dialogue between the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of the Syrian opposition under the League of Arab States’ auspices,  taking into account the timetable set out by the League of Arab States without prejudging the outcome;

 

        9.     Calls upon all Member States to provide support to the Arab League initiative, as requested;

 

        10.   Calls upon the Syrian authorities to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance in order to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to persons in need of assistance;

 

        11.   Requests in this context the Secretary-General and all relevant UN bodies to provide support to the efforts of the League of Arab States both through good offices aimed at promoting a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, including through the appointment of a Special Envoy, as well as through technical and material assistance, in consultation with the League of the Arab States; 

As obtained by InnerCityPress.com

 

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