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US slams Syria over UN rights meeting walkout

Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Fayssal al-Hamwi, accused members of the U.N. Human Rights Council of promoting terrorism and prolonging the crisis in his country by holding an urgent meeting on Syria.

“Anybody who heard the Syrian ambassador should be aware that his comments were borderline out of touch with reality,” Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, the U.S. representative to the 47-nation council, told reporters.

“I think it’s a reflection to some extent of what’s going on with the Assad regime itself, holding a referendum that is farcical and a mockery of democratic processes when they’re in the midst of a humanitarian crisis of their own creation,” she said. “I think the Syrian ambassador’s comments were equally delusional.”

Al-Hamwi took the floor shortly after the U.N.’s top human rights official called for an immediate cease-fire in Syria and unhindered access for aid agencies to deliver emergency supplies and evacuate the sick and wounded.

“We are convinced that the real aim behind holding this session today is to cover up for the violence and murder perpetrated by the armed groups against innocent civilians,” Syria’s ambassador told diplomats.

Calling it part of “a pre-established plan,” al-Hamwi said the meeting was “aimed at attacking the Syrian state and its institutions under the pretext of humanitarian needs.”

“We are not pretending that the human rights situation in Syria is perfect,” he added. “We are aware that there is a regression in the quality of services usually provided by the government to the population by the regions facing violence. This is due to the armed groups that are using residential areas as bases.”

As diplomats and government officials from 70 countries lined up to express their concern about the deteriorating situation in Syria, al-Hamwi announced that his delegation would withdraw from what he called “this sterile discussion.”

Before storming out of the room, he denounced a planned resolution on Syria as “malicious and prejudiced.”

Members of the Geneva-based council are expected to pass a resolution this week condemning “widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities.”

A draft text supported by many Arab and Western nations says the Syrian regime’s use of heavy artillery and tanks to attack civilian areas has contributed to the deaths of thousands.

Libya’s Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib said he supported passing a firm resolution on Syria in the council.

“We hope that the Syrian people will have the same freedom and victory soon as the Libyan people are enjoying right now,” he said.

Navi Pillay, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, cited the report of a U.N. expert panel that concluded Syrian government officials were responsible for “crimes against humanity” committed by security forces against opposition members. The crimes included shelling civilians, executing deserters and torturing detainees. Some opposition groups, too, had committed gross abuses, the report said.

The panel has compiled a confidential list of top-level Syrian officials who could face prosecution over the atrocities.

Pillay reiterated her call for Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court “in the face of the unspeakable violations that take place every moment.”

“More than at any other time, those committing atrocities in Syria have to understand that the international community will not stand by and watch this carnage and that their decisions and the actions they take today ultimately will not go unpunished,” she said.

Several countries backed her call for Syria to be referred to the ICC, a proposition made difficult by the fact that Syria’s longtime ally Russia holds a veto in the U.N. Security Council, where such a move would have to be approved.

Esther Brimmer, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, told reporters that while it was up to the Syrian people to decide how to try those responsible for atrocities in Syria, the international community could assist by collecting evidence for future prosecutions.