Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, After a Security Council Briefing on Syria

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

December 12, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The United States welcomes today’s briefing by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the appalling human rights crisis in Syria. Just two days after global celebrations of Human Rights Day, the Asad regime continues to carry out its brutal campaign of death against its own citizens, including many children.

High Commissioner Pillay’s briefing underscores the urgency of the present moment. Let there be no doubt: Asad’s days in power are numbered. The question is how many more Syrians—such as 13-year-old Hamza Khatib, who was tortured and murdered in April—must be beaten, killed or raped before Asad leaves office. Through condemnations issued by the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council and bold steps taken by the Arab League and the Government of Turkey, international bodies are starting to match their severe disapproval of Syria’s bloody crackdown with concrete steps to bring it to an end. It is past time for the UN Security Council to do the same.

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