Syria: Clinton on U.N. Resolution; Ford Travels to Jassem

Yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement supporting the creation of a U.N. Human Rights Council independent Commission of Inquiry into events in Syria. She said, “the Commission of Inquiry will investigate all violations of international human rights law by Syrian Authorities and help the international community address the serious human rights abuses in Syria and ensure that those responsible are held to account.” She again condemned ”in the strongest possible terms” the violence and killings of thousands by the Syrian authorities and urged President Bashar al-Assad to step aside.

The U.S. and some E.U. countries have called for U.N. sanctions on Syria and circulated a draft resolution around the U.N. Security Council yesterday. The resolution named President Assad, 22 members of his ruling circle, and the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate as those to be included in possible sanctions. The resolution called for sanctions against those ”responsible for or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, violent repression against the civilian population in Syria.”

U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford traveled outside of Damascus yesterday, in defiance of a Syrian government order to remain in the city. He visited Jassem, approximately 70km south of Damascus as a way to understand what is happening in the city. Ambassador Ford reportedly had asked to visit Aleppo three times, and was denied each time, so made the trip to Jassem and informed the Syrian Foreign Ministry after he returned. Josh Rogin of Foreign Policy noted the domestic political ramifications Ambassador Ford’s visit, and any official Syrian response, may have on his confirmation hearing.