AJC Applauds Convening of UN Human Rights Council Session on Syria

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Apr 27, 2011, 01:44 ET

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC applauded the United States and other countries which joined in calling for an emergency UN Human Rights Council session on Syria.

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"The escalating assault on Syrians by the regime of Bashar al-Assad demands a concerted, united international response," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "The UN Human Rights Council is the appropriate forum to address this ongoing, despicable tragedy, which has left hundreds of Syrian protestors dead at the hands of the Assad regime's brutal armed forces and security services."

The United States was joined by 10 European states, as well as Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Senegal and Zambia in requesting the special session, which will take place on Friday in Geneva.

"The Human Rights Council, at a minimum, should put an end to Syria's quest for a seat on the council when elections take place on May 20," said Harris. "The Human Rights Council should be just as firm with Syria, including launching an investigation, as it was with Libya."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee