Syria: U.N. Calls for Investigation, Ford Travels, Protests Continue

The United Nations Human Rights Council opened an emergency session on Syria yesterday, with the support of Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The council passed a resolution ordering an investigation into the human rights violations in Syria, and called for an immediate end to the violence. The resolution was opposed by China, Russia, and Cuba. And a statement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website on Tuesday criticized foreign pressure on Syria.

State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland emphasized that the vast majority of Syrian protesters have been peaceful, and opposition groups have taken the advice of the U.S. to better organize and unite. She said the U.S. and E.U. share the goal of  implementing tougher sanctions to pressure the regime without hurting the Syrian people. Finally, Nuland reiterated the “essential role” of U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford.

Meanwhile, thousands protested in response to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad‘s televised interview, taunting that Assad would be next to fall after Gadhafi. The United Nations humanitarian mission visited Hama on Monday, and was asked to leave for security reasons. Three were reportedly killed when forces opened fire on a crowd that gathered to greet the U.N. delegation. And Ambassador Ford made an unexpected trip to Jassem, in southern Syria, on Tuesday. One resident reported that Ford walked around town, but was careful not to be seen talking with residents, for fear of causing them harm.