UK’s Browne calls to stop violence in Syria

British Liberal Democrat MP Jeremy Browne has called all parties involved in the Syrian conflict to end violence and respect human rights during the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday. According to a press release from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Browne said: "We have all seen the images of the destruction and suffering caused by the Syrian forces' bombardment of Homs and other cities. We have read with horror of the ongoing human rights violations committed by the regime …This is why the British Government has strongly supported the League of Arab States' call for the Syrian government to cease all violence and protect its population.” Browne also said he was concerned that abuses might be committed by members of anti-government groups in Syria, “although it is clear that these are on a far smaller scale than the widespread and systematic violations perpetrated by the Syrian authorities,” the MP added. Browne urged the Syrian authorities to allow a “neutral and impartial” access for humanitarian organisations, in observance to the Friends of Syria Group’s statement issued last Friday after the meeting in Tunis. The Lib-Dem MP has also welcomed former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s appointment as Arab League’s special envoy on the Syrian crisis. During his speech, the MP did not forget to address those responsible for Syrian “atrocities’: "Those responsible for the terrible atrocities in Syria should be in no doubt:  they will be personally held to account for the appalling crimes which they have committed,” he said. Browne has also confirmed the UK’s commitment to achieving Syrian independence and has assured that it will continue to work with the Arab League and the Friends of Syria. The MP has then thanked the Human Rights Council for the action it took in response to the situation in Syria, highlighting that the Commission of Inquiry established by the Council has played “a key part … in providing a reliable and independent source of information about the deteriorating situation in Syria”. Addressing the importance of the press’ role in the conflict, Browne praised Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik and Remi Al-Said’s sacrifices: “The tragic deaths of Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik and Rami al-Said while reporting with great bravery from Homs is a terrible reminder of the risks that journalists take to report the truth.   We remain concerned for the safety of Paul Conroy and are working hard to secure his safe exit from Syria."