Syrian Coalition: Russia has to demonstrate impartiality ahead of Geneva II

Hadi Al Bahra, a member of the Syrian Coalition’s Political Committee, said that “Russia, which claims it is eager to provide the right atmosphere for the success of Geneva 2 and presents itself as the sponsor of the conference, has to prove its neutrality and commitment to human and moral values ​​that were spelled out by human rights law and the internationally accepted laws of war.” Bahra expressed “regret about Russia’s blocking of a press statement, submitted by a big number of countries, although it does not rise to the level of a resolution condemning the crimes of the Assad regime.” Bahra went on: “This statement is less than what the international community must to take of positions. The countries that submitted the draft statement expected it would be blocked by Russia. However, those countries sought to test the Russian position with the approach of Geneva 2 and see if there is a tangible change in the Russian position toward the Assad regime.” Bahra’s remarks came in response to Russia’s blocking of a UN Security Council statement condemning the Assad regime following the recent brutal attacks with rockets and explosive barrels on Aleppo, which claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, including children. The UN Security Council’s failure to approve the statement, which was drafted by the United States, was met by angry reaction from Washington. “We are very disappointed that a Security Council statement expressing our collective outrage at the brutal and indiscriminant tactics employed by the Syrian regime against civilians has been blocked,” said Kurtis Cooper, deputy spokesman for the US mission to the United Nations. “These barrel bombs — and the explosive materials contained within them — further underscore the brutality of the Assad regime and the lengths they will go to attack and kill their own people,” he added. Russia has already blocked three UN Security Council resolutions that were intended to put pressure on the Assad regime to stop its war on the Syrian people. These resolutions might have effectively spared Syria thousands of lives. (Source: Syrian Coalition)