Russia presents new Syria resolution at U.N. after weeks of criticism

Russia on Monday distributed a new draft resolution on the Syria crisis at the U.N. Security Council after facing weeks of criticism over the slow pace of talks, diplomats said.

The draft “welcomed the Syrian government’s acceptance of the Arab League Action Plan, noting the deployment of the League of Arab States' observer mission, emphasizing commendable efforts by the observers contributing to stabilizing the situation and decreasing violence.”

It also expressed “profound regret at the death of thousands of people, calling for an immediate end to all violence and provocations, urging all sides to reject violence and act with utmost restraint.”

The new resolution was distributed as Germany again complained at the 15-member council over the lack of U.N. action on the worsening crisis, a spokesman for Germany’s U.N. mission said.

Russia and China vetoed a European resolution on Syria in October calling a move by Western nations toward regime change in Syria.

Russia proposed its own resolution in December but Britain, France, Germany and the United States have said the text is not acceptable because it puts opposition violence on the same level as the government’s assault which the U.N. says has left more than 5,400 dead.

Diplomats said the latest text distributed by Russia will be discussed by experts on Tuesday. The new text, however, only takes the existing Russian resolution and adds a list of amendments proposed by the European nations and the United States.

“It is a maneuver playing for time,” one Western diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity of the new text.

Draft resolution on Syria

The following are further exerts from the latest amended Russian draft resolution on Syria obtained by Al Arabiya. Most amendments in the draft were suggested by France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Security Council,
Expressing grave concern at the deterioration of the situation in Syria,
Recalling its presidential statement of 3 August 2011,

Taking note of the submission, on 13 December 2011, by the UN Secretary General to the President of the Security Council of the report of the international independent commission of inquiry mandated by the Human Rights Council (France),

Recalling General Assembly resolution A/Res/66/176 of 19 December, as well as Human Rights Council resolutions S/16-1, S/17-1, S/18-1,

Welcoming the plan of action developed by the League of Arab States, by which the Syrian Government agreed to cease all violence, release all those arrested due to the recent incidents, clearing cities and residential areas of all manifestations of militarization, and allow the relevant Arab League institutions as well as Arab and international media to move freely in all parts of Syria to determine the truth about the situation on the ground with the view to launching the process of LAS’s consultations with the Government and different factions of Syrian opposition with regard to preparing the conference of national dialogue, (France),

Stressing that the only solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process with the aim of effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the population which will allow the full exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction, including that of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and further stressing that such a political process can only be advanced through an environment free from violence, fear and intimidation,

Recalling the Syrian authorities’ responsibility to fully respect human rights and to comply with their obligations under applicable international law,

Noting the announced plans made by the Syrian authorities towards reform and the steps taken in this direction, regretting insufficient progress in their implementation, calling upon the Syrian government to expedite progress in promoting political pluralism through adoption of new electoral law and constitutional reform, guaranteeing freedom of media, ensuring respect for human rights,

Expressing deep concern at the human rights situation and at the humanitarian situation in crisis areas, and calling for expeditious access to international humanitarian assistance and to international media, and unhindered access to international media and independent observers, including international humanitarian actors, calling upon the Syrian authorities to cooperate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the independent international commission of inquiry of the Human Rights Council (Portugal, France),

Underscoring the importance of ensuring the voluntary return to their homes in safety and security of those who have fled from violence, including Syrians who have fled to neighboring countries,
Calling upon the Syrian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Expressing grave concern at the illegal transfer of weapons into Syria and calling on Member States to take necessary steps to prevent such flow of arms,

Mindful that stability in Syria is key to peace and stability in the region,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria as well as to the basic principle of international law which provides that states shall not intervene in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of any state in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

Emphasizing the need to resolve the current crisis in Syria peacefully, ruling out any military intervention from outside, stressing that nothing in this resolution compels States to take measures or action exceeding the scope of this resolution, including the use of force or the threat of force (UNSCR 1929), (UK),

Welcoming the engagement of the Secretary-General and all diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing this situation,

Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that occurred in Damascus on 23 December and 6 January, causing scores of deaths and injuries.