Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 07-03-2018
Advocacy group Cage Africa says South Africa’s decision to abstain from a UN vote calling for an urgent probe into atrocities committed in Eastern Ghouta in Syria, is a signal that the current government is protecting its relationship with Russia, the US coalition and Syria, at the expense of basic human rights.
On Friday South Africa argued against the holding of an urgent debate on the Syrian crisis in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
It cited procedural grounds, saying the council had not been given enough notice of the urgent debate and that Syria was due to be discussed anyway, later in the council’s session. 4
Cage says the move will invite criticism from many among South Africa’s Muslims and others concerned with justice who have been calling for peace in the region and an end to the bombing campaigns and violence.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 770 people have been killed since 18 February after Russian-backed government warplanes intensified their bombardment of Eastern Ghouta.
Cages Feroz Boda says the bombing campaign in Syria has wreaked trauma, pain and widespread destruction.
“It is astounding that the South African government would rather protect its relationship with Russia and other belligerent nations including Syria, who are likely guilty of crimes against humanity, rather than acknowledge and call for an end to the terror.”
Cage Africa has called on the South African government to take a more courageous and justice-based stance and join those nations and communities calling for an end to hostilities and immediate assistance to the injured and besieged people of Syria.
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