Ahmad Azizi
Ahmad Azizi
United Nations, July 20, 2011 (Morocco World News)
The United Nations Secretary-General has once more expressed his deep concern over the violence committed by Syrian authorities against peaceful protesters in Syria.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson today, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, called on the Syrian authorities to “stop repression immediately”, while also asking all sides to refrain from using violence.
The Secretary-General also urged the Syrian Government to allow humanitarian access to affected areas and to facilitate the visit by the fact-finding mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which the United Nations Human Rights Council authorized in a resolution last April.
Addressing the calls by the Syrian Government for dialogue with the opposition, the Secretary-General called for such dialogue to be credible and inclusive, and for it to commence without delay and to be part of a broad and genuine reform effort. But at the same time, he expressed the view that the mass arrests by the Syrian authorities are not consistent with serious reform.
Ban urged President Assad to concretely respond to pressing grievances and longer term concerns of the Syrian people.
Editing by Adnane Bennis.
Picture credit: UN News Center.
