18thAugust 2011, Geneva; The Maldives, Germany (EU), Kuwait and Mexico have taken the lead in organising an Emergency or "Special" Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria. The Session comes a week after H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued a statement expressing alarm at the escalating violence waged by the Syrian authorities against peaceful protestors, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan, and called on the international community to intervene.
The Special Session, spearheaded by Germany (EU), Maldives, Kuwait and Mexico and supported by other key members of the Council including the US, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Switzerland, Botswana, Spain and Brazil has so-far been cosigned by 25 members and around 40 observer States. It will take place on Monday 22nd August. The Maldives and others are currently negotiating the text of the UN Resolution which will be adopted at the Special Session.
Speaking today, Minister Naseem said:
"The Maldives considers itself a friend of Syria and its people, and has watched with increasing alarm as the government there has responded to peaceful protests calling for democratic reform with violence and intimidation. Thousands have been arbitrarily detained and hundreds of our Muslim brothers and sisters, including children, have been killed. Worse, these gross human rights violations have intensified during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
This is why the Maldives and others have led calls for a robust response from the UN. I am delighted that this call has been taken up and that this UN Special Session now has the support of a wide-range of States from all regions - including many Arab and Muslim States.
The Session will send out a clear message that the violence and killing must stop, and that the Syrian authorities should begin a process of meaningful democratic reform".
ENDS.