Phl inhibits from voting on Syria resolution

MANILA, Philippines - With Filipinos workers in Syria and their repatriation as considerations, the Philippines did not take part in the voting on a draft resolution on Syria at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday backing Arab League efforts to resolve the crisis in that country.

UN officials estimate that security forces have killed well over 5,400 people in Syria since the popular uprising began last March.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said Filipinos in Syria are “highly vulnerable.”

A vote against the resolution could affect the Filipinos in Syria and the Philippine government’s efforts to repatriate them, he said.

“As must be known to all, our nationals in Syria who are highly vulnerable are urgently being repatriated, and we are receiving assistance from the Syrian government in this effort. As a result, the Philippines was unable to vote for the said resolution,” Del Rosario explained.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippines’ primary concern right now is the welfare and repatriation of Filipinos in the strife-torn country.

“We did not take part in the (UN) vote. We were not present when the resolution was taken up in the General Assembly,” Hernandez said.

The General Assembly strongly condemned the continued “widespread and systematic” human rights violations by the Syrian authorities and demanded that the government immediately cease all violence and protect its people.

The 193-member body adopted a resolution backing Arab League efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.

Thousands of people are also believed to be missing, some 70,000 people are internally displaced and 25,000 have fled Syria to avoid the violence.

The resolution strongly condemned the continued “widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities,” including the use of force against civilians and arbitrary executions.

The text, which was adopted by a vote of 137 in favor to 12 against with 17 abstentions, also called on Syria “to immediately put an end to all human rights violations and attacks against civilians.”

The adoption of the resolution was welcomed by General Assembly president Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who both issued statements through their spokespersons.

Al-Nasser said the resolution “demonstrates the world’s concern, commitment and solidarity with the Syrian people, especially regarding the protection of civilians and the overall situation in Syria. This development also shows that Member States, through the UN General Assembly, are willing to act to maintain stability.”

He called on “all peace-loving nations to continue to support efforts aimed at finding an urgent solution to the crisis in Syria, including plans to host a conference in Tunisia scheduled for 24 February involving countries in the group of friends of Syria.”

The UN chief said the resolution had indicated “a way… toward a political solution and a peaceful future in Syria, with democracy, human rights and dignity for all of the Syrian people.”

Ban said he welcomed “this much awaited message, and calls on the Syrian authorities to heed the call of the international community and the voice of the Syrian people.”

Speaking before the vote in the Assembly, Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari of Syria called the draft a “biased” text that has nothing to do with the situation in his country.

He cited several developments that respond to popular demands, including the referendum set for Feb. 26 on a new constitution and the intention to hold a national dialogue.

“No country can allow the presence of armed terrorist groups on its territory,” he stated, adding that he had “deep concerns” vis-à-vis the real intentions of the countries that have co-sponsored the text.

He called on these countries to stop interfering in internal Syrian affairs and stop adding fuel to the fire of the tensions in his country.

This action follows the recent failure by the UN Security Council to agree on collective action on the issue after Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution endorsing Arab League efforts to end the crisis.

It also follows a debate in the Assembly on Monday during which the UN human rights chief appealed to Member States to act now to protect the Syrian people as the government’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests continues unabated and the number of dead and injured continues to rise.

“The longer the international community fails to take action, the more the civilian population will suffer from countless atrocities committed against them,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told the Assembly.

“The government of Syria has manifestly failed to fulfill its obligation to protect its population,” Pillay stated.

“Each and every member of the international community must act now to urgently protect the Syrian population.”

The text also called for “an inclusive Syrian-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 the people.”