United Nations Security Council draft resolution S/2011/612
Date: 2011-10-04 (meeting 6627)
Agenda: The situation in the Middle East
Vetoed by: CHINA
RUSSIA/USSR

United Nations
Security Council
S/2011/612
Distr.: General
4 October 2011
Original: English
France, Germany, Portugal and United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland: draft resolution
The Security Council,
Expressing grave concern at the situation in Syria,
Recalling its Presidential Statement of 3 August,
Welcoming the Secretary-General's statements articulating continued concerns
about the ongoing violence and humanitarian needs, calling on the Syrian
Government to halt its violent offensive at once, calling for an independent
investigation of all human rights violations during recent demonstrations, and
stressing the need to hold to account those responsible for human rights violations,
Noting Human Rights Council's report of its 17th Special session
(A/HRC/S-17/1), including the decision to dispatch an independent international
commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations of international human
rights law since March 2011 in Syria,
Recalling the Syrian Government's primary responsibility to protect its
population, and the Secretary-General's call for the Syrian Government to allow
unhindered and sustained access for humanitarian aid and humanitarian
organizations, welcoming OCHA's humanitarian assessment mission and urging the
Syrian authorities to cooperate comprehensively with the United Nations,
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 fundamental freedoms for its entire population, including of the rights of
freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest, and further stressing that
such a political process can only be advanced through an environment free from any
sort of violence, fear and intimidation,
Noting the announced commitments by the Syrian authorities to reform, and
regretting the lack of progress in implementation,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial
integrity and national unity of Syria,
Deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration of the situation in Syria and
the potential for further escalation of the violence, and reaffirming the need to
resolve the current crisis in Syria peacefully,
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S/2011/612
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Welcoming the engagement of the Secretary-General and the League of Arab
States, and all other diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing this situation, including
those of Turkey, Russia, Brazil, India, South Africa, and regretting the lack of a
substantive response by the Syrian authorities to these demands,

1. Strongly condemns the continued grave and systematic human rights
violations and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities, and
expresses profound regret at the deaths of thousands of people including women and
children;

2. Demands an immediate end to all violence and urges all sides to reject
violence and extremism;

3. Recalls that those responsible for all violence and human rights
violations should be held accountable;

4. Demands that the Syrian authorities immediately:

(a) cease violations of human rights, comply with their obligations under
applicable international law, and cooperate fully with the office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights;

(b) allow the full exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms by its
entire population, including rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,
release all political prisoners and detained peaceful demonstrators, and lift
restrictions on all forms of media;

(c) cease the use of force against civilians;

(d) alleviate the humanitarian situation in crisis areas, including by allowing
expeditious, unhindered and sustained access for internationally recognized human
rights monitors, humanitarian agencies and workers, and restoring basic services
including access to hospitals;

(e) ensure the safe and voluntary return of those who have fled the violence
to their homes;

5. Calls for an inclusive Syrian-led political process conducted in an
environment free from violence, fear, intimidation, and extremism, and aimed at
effectively addressing the legitimate aspirations and concerns of Syria's population,
and encourages the Syrian opposition and all sections of Syrian society to contribute
to such a process;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to urge the Syrian
Government to implement paragraphs 2 and 4 above, including by appointing at the
appropriate time a Special Envoy in consultation with the Security Council, and
encourages all States and regional organizations to contribute to this objective;

7. Encourages in this regard the League of Arab states to continue efforts
aimed at ending the violence and promoting such an inclusive Syrian-led political
process;

8. Strongly condemns attacks on diplomatic personnel and recalls the
fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic agents and the obligations
on host States, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations, to take all appropriate steps to protect embassy premises and prevent
attacks on diplomatic agents;
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S/2011/612

9. Calls upon all States to exercise vigilance and restraint over the direct or
indirect supply, sale or transfer to Syria of arms and related materiel of all types, as
well as technical training, financial resources or services, advice, or other services
or assistance related to such arms and related materiel;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to report on implementation of this
resolution within 30 days of its adoption and every 30 days thereafter;

11. Expresses its intention to review Syria's implementation of this
resolution within 30 days and to consider its options, including measures under
Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations;

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

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Voting result: 9 yes, 2 no, 4 abstentions
Votes by member:
country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
vote: Y
country: Colombia
vote: Y
country: France
vote: Y
country: Gabon
vote: Y
country: Germany
vote: Y
country: Nigeria
vote: Y
country: Portugal
vote: Y
country: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
vote: Y
country: United States of America
vote: Y
country: China
vote: N
country: Russian Federation
vote: N
country: Brazil
vote: A
country: India
vote: A
country: Lebanon
vote: A
country: South Africa
vote: A