Amid Killings, Syria Seeks Spot on Human Rights Council

New York, April 26 –Syria has killed hundreds of civilians demanding democratic rights but would like to replace Libya on the U.N. Human Rights Council – a body which spends much of its time condemning Israel while mostly ignoring Arab regimes murdering their own citizens.

Syria is considered a shoo-in for one of the four open spots on the international body, which will hold elections May 20.

Since Syria’s pro-democracy movement took root last month, government forces have killed more than 350 peaceful demonstrators and injured hundreds more. Leaders from around the world – including U.N. Security Council member-states Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and the United States – have condemned the use of violence by Syrian armed forces to quell anti-government protests.

The United States currently is considering new sanctions against Syria, just as it did against Iran – a major ally of Syria. Iran dropped its own attempt to win a seat on the council last year following an outcry by human rights groups. Syria, which the United States has classified a state sponsor of terrorism, is a major backer of Iranian terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah.

Following its nomination to the human rights council, Syria issued a statement “pledging to uphold the highest standards in promotion and protection of human rights ... and fundamental freedoms…Syria considers that the protection of human dignity and fundamental rights are the basis of freedom, justice and peace.”

Syria’s nomination for the Council came from the Asian Group and was endorsed by the Arab League. While other countries have commented anonymously about their opposition to Syria’s participation on the council, the United States has been outspoken about keeping Syria off the Geneva-based body.

Said State Department spokesman Mark Toner, “I think in this particular case we feel compelled to comment, given Syria’s actions against its own people. We believe it would be inappropriate and hypocritical for Syria to join the Human Rights Council.”

Human Rights Watch’s U.N. Director Philippe Bolopion said, “The Syrian government’s aggressive campaign for the Human Rights Council has not slowed down the killing and torture of large numbers of peaceful protesters by its security forces…Syria’s candidacy should be an embarrassment to its backers, the Asia Group, and particularly the Arab League, which supported military action in Libya to protect civilians, and is now blatantly siding against Syrian victims.”.

Despite its name, a number of members and would-be members of the 47-country Human Rights Council are known for civil abuses. In the past, successful campaigns were waged to keep some countries with major rights violations off of the Council; Libya was voted off the Council last month.

The U.N. Council itself has come under considerable international scrutiny for its almost constant focus on Israel as well as electing countries known for human rights abuse to join the body. The Council was behind the report by Judge Richard Goldstone that condemned Israel’s actions during Operation Cast Lead; Goldstone recently retracted the report but the Council has refused to withdraw it.

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