Calling Events in Syria ‘Brutally Shocking’, Secretary-General Welcomes Security

Council Statement, Urging Compliance with Demand for Full Humanitarian Access

The following is a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

I welcome the presidential statement adopted by the Security Council today as the clear message of the international community.  The world has watched the deteriorating situation in Syria with the most profound concern, but the events of the past few days have been brutally shocking.

Once again, I call on President [Bashar al-] Assad and the Syrian authorities to immediately cease all violence against their people, to fully respect human rights, and implement reforms they have already announced.  I further urge them to comply with the Security Council’s demand to allow independent and unimpeded access to international humanitarian agencies and to cooperate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

All killings should be investigated fully, independently and transparently.  Those responsible should be held to account.  As I have repeatedly said, the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people must be addressed through an inclusive Syrian-led political process that guarantees fundamental freedoms and rights for all.  The reporting obligations mandated by the Security Council will be met without delay.

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For information media • not an official record