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Lithuania and other 136 member states support the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 February that strongly condemns the continued “widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities.”

The resolution strongly condemns the continued use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, the killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, interference with access to medical treatment, torture, sexual violence and ill-treatment, including against children.

The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted a resolution backing the efforts of the Arab League to resolve the crisis in Syria, where UN officials estimate that security forces have killed over 5 400 people since the beginning of protests. Thousands of people are missing, 25 000 have fled the country and some 70 000 people are internally displaced to avoid the violence.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 137 in favour to 12 against with 17 abstentions. Lithuania voted in favour of the resolution.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes “this much awaited message, and calls on the Syrian authorities to heed the call of the international community and the voice of the Syrian people.” He also said that the resolution showed “a way toward a political solution and a peaceful future in Syria, with democracy, human rights and dignity for all of the Syrian people.”