Western powers push for end to Syria crackdown

[April 29, 2011]  GENEVA (AP) -- Western powers urged the U.N.'s top human rights body Friday to investigate possible abuses in Syria, where officials say the killings of more than 450 people in protests may include crimes against humanity.

The United States and European Union urged the U.N. Human Rights Council to order a probe and insist that President Bashar Assad allow in foreign journalists and ease Internet restrictions, but diplomats from Nigeria and China warned that any council action could be interpreted as meddling.

U.N. human rights deputy chief Kyung-wha Kang, said the Syrian government "risks creating a downward spiral of anger, violence, killings and chaos" through tactics such as ordering tanks and other artillery to fire on peaceful protesters and snipers to shoot people trying to help the injured or remove dead bodies from public areas. She said around 1,800 people also have been injured.

"Any official ordering or undertaking of attacks against the civilian population can be held criminally accountable," she said. "Such attacks that occur on a widespread or systematic basis may amount to crimes against humanity."

Nigerian diplomat Ositadinma Anaedu, speaking for the African Union, cautioned that any council action could be interpreted as "political," and Chinese diplomat Xia Jingge warned the U.N. could further complicate the situation in Syria and undermine the council's own credibility.

"We reject any pressure tactics on human rights issues and any naming and shaming," he said.

Assad promised reforms last week and ditched the emergency laws the government has been using for a half-century to detain people, but critics point out he has continued to try to violently quell the protests that are the gravest challenge to his family's 40-year ruling dynasty. Activists in Syria were calling for a "Friday of rage" following Muslim prayers, to commemorate the killings of 112 people in one day.

Diplomats say the world needs a clearer picture of the crackdown.

"While the Syrian authorities announced the lifting of the state of emergency, the repression became further pronounced," said France's ambassador to U.N. agencies in Geneva, Jean-Baptiste Mattei.

"It's essential that the council send a firm message vigorously denouncing the massive human rights violations by the Syrian authorities," he said.

The U.S. and Western diplomats also planned to use Friday's session to rally opposition to Syria's unopposed candidacy to join the 47-nation council. It will gain a three-year seat unless an Asian country contests it. To gain a council seat Syria needs the support of half the world's governments in a May 20 vote of the 192-nation U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Voting is done by region and four countries in the U.N.'s 53-nation Asian Group -- India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Syria -- are running for four seats. The Syrian U.N. mission in Geneva has not responded to AP's request for comment Thursday.

The United States, which publicly opposes Syria's candidacy, and 15 other nations called for the special session Friday to approve an independent probe and recommend prosecution if violations of international human rights law are uncovered.

"The session will also provide an opportunity to highlight Syria's hypocritical candidacy for the Human Rights Council," said David Kennedy, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the U.N. in Geneva.

"The United States firmly opposes Syria's candidacy, and is actively discussing the matter with council members. We call on the members of the United Nations to reject Syria's cynical attempt to join the body," he said.

Human rights groups also are calling on diplomats to use the session to push back against Syria's bid for a council seat.

Western diplomats say international condemnation of the killings across Syria would send a strong signal that the country also isn't fit to serve as a council member.

[Associated Press; By JOHN HEILPRIN]

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