AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: RUSSIA MUST NOT BLOCK EFFORTS TO END ATROCITIES IN SYRIA

[tabatha]

PRESS RELEASE
1 February 2012
SECURITY COUNCIL: RUSSIA MUST NOT BLOCK EFFORTS TO END ATROCITIES IN SYRIA
AI Index: PRE01/052/2012

Russia must not block international efforts to tackle the ongoing violence and human rights violations in Syria, Amnesty International said today amid negotiations over a resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council.

Russian officials have threatened to veto the resolution if it comes to a vote. Russia was one of several Security Council members to block a previous resolution on Syria on 4 October 2011. According to reports received by Amnesty International, more than 2,600 people have been killed in Syria since then.

“Russia’s threats to abort a binding UN Security Council resolution on Syria for the second time are utterly irresponsible. Russia bears a heavy responsibility for allowing the brutal crackdown on legitimate dissent in Syria to continue unchecked,” said José Luis Díaz, Amnesty International's representative to the UN in New York.

“Russia must work with other Security Council members to pass a strong and legally binding resolution that will help to end the bloodshed and human rights violations in Syria once and for all.”

http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/security-council-russia-must-not-block-efforts-end-atrocities-syria-2012-02

[TheWraith]

1. The Russians are trying to have it both ways.

Back away from Assad publicly so they don't get burned when his faction collapses, as it looks likely to do. But also try to keep anyone else from helping that happen, just on the off chance that Assad makes it, and probably to cover their asses that Assad doesn't go public with how much they've actually helped him as a scorched earth thing.

[tabatha]

2. Russia has openly stated that they continue to supply Assad with weapons

because if they did not, they would lose the market. I'll have to dig up the article.

The use of the Syrian ports by Russia was in exchange for unpaid bills by Syria for Russian weapons.