Geneva-May-29(BNA) The Kingdom of Bahrain, headed by the permanent representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Dr Yousef Abdulkarim Bucheeri, took part in the urgent debate by the Human Rights Council.

The debate, held today (Wednesday, 29 May, 2013) at the UN Office in Geneva, discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria, particularly in Al Qusayr area.

The decision by the council to hold its own session is based on the formal request made by a number of countries, including Qatar, Turkey and the US, for an urgent special debate session by UN Council for Human Rights to deal with the unfortunate developments as well as continued deteriorating and tragic humanitarian situation in Syria, especially after the recent events in Al Qusayr.

Present at the special sessions were a large number of member states and observers, head of the Human Rights Council, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, other observers and non-governmental organisations.

They all expressed outrage and strong condemnation of the massacres in Syrian lands, the latest of which in Al Qusayr that resulted in the massacre of unarmed civilians, women and children.

The Kingdom of Bahrain presented its view on the issue, whereby the permanent representative welcomed convening this urgent meeting for the Human Rights Council to assume its responsibilities towards the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria.

He expressed the strong condemnation of Bahrain of the use of the Syrian regime of excessive force against unarmed civilians and the continued shedding of innocent blood as well as the destruction of cities and infrastructure.

This is in addition to the gross violation of the rights of civilians and flagrant breach of international and humanitarian law, which makes the process of peaceful political transition of power a requirement that should be accelerated to be achieved immediately and without delay.

In this context, Dr Bucheeri emphasized the importance of uniting the international vision in dealing with the Syrian crisis, to reach a process of the peaceful transfer of power and stop the daily bloodshed of the Syrian people and enable them to defend themselves.

He called on all parties concerned in Syria to exercise restraint and stop the dangerous escalation in order to preserve the lives of civilians, and to ward off sectarianism, which some are trying to drag into Syria and the whole region.

This is in addition to putting an end to the killing and the violence machine as well as investigating events related to Al Qusayr, specifically, and others, as well as holding the perpetrators of these acts of violence accountable and to ensure the protection of civilians.

In conclusion, the permanent representative hoped that the discussions of the Human Rights Council would result in strict and concrete actions that send a very significant message as well as that the international community and the Human Rights Council would fulfill their role and responsibility in protecting and safeguarding basic human rights.

It is worth mentioning that the Human Rights Council passed nine resolutions on the human rights situation in Syria in a sign that indicates how it is seriously concerned and closely following up the latest humanitarian developments that take place.

AHN