New York, Feb 3 (IANS) Human Rights Watch has urged India not to stand by Syria as it comes under increasing attack over violation of human rights.
The UN Security Council is considering a Moroccan draft resolution that includes demands that Syria end all rights abuses while putting down pro-democracy protests.
The draft resolution also warns that the perpetrators of rights violations must be held to account.
A majority of the 15 Council members is considered supportive of these efforts, which are also backed by the Arab League, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
These includes Azerbaijan, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Morocco, Portugal, Togo, Britain and the US.
According to media reports and diplomats who spoke to Human Rights Watch, Russia, backed by China, India, Pakistan, and South Africa are reluctant to endorse any meaningful pressure on the Syrian government.
“After 10 months of passivity, during which more than 5,400 people have been killed by Syrian security forces, Security Council members should have run out of excuses for inaction,” said Philippe Bolopion, the UN director at Human Rights Watch.
“India should be wary of supporting the position of Russia, which is signing lucrative arms deals with the Syrian government, while providing it with diplomatic cover.”
Four months have passed since South Africa and India, alongside former council member Brazil, abstained on a resolution designed to pressure the Syrian government into ending the violence.
