Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Friday, 13 May 2011.

Syria

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the continuing violence in Syria and the plea of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Government of Syria to stop killing its own people, whether they will call for a United Nations Security Council debate on the situation.

Answer: The UK, together with France, Germany and Portugal worked together to raise the situation in Syria at the United National Security Council (UNSC). The discussion on 27 April led to a broad condemnation of Syrian behaviour by a wide range of UNSC members, who expressed their grave concern at the situation in an unprecedented open council meeting. In addition, the UN Human Rights Council passed a strong resolution on 29 April condemning Syria's conduct and launching a fact finding mission to investigate human rights abuses. The UK actively supported this resolution, tabled by the US, which was passed by a clear majority of Human Rights Council members. We will continue to work with our UN, EU and other international partners in an attempt to persuade the Syrian authorities to stop the violent repression and respect democracy and human rights. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said on 1 April, clearly in Syria we need to do more to step up the pressure on that regime to show, internationally, that this violent repression is not acceptable.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8740; 727 c265-6WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Demonstrations Politics and government Violence Syria UN Security Council
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk