U.N. human rights body passes resolution condemning Syria crackdown on protests

[azurnoir]

The top United Nations human rights body condemned Syria on Friday for using deadly force against peaceful protesters and launched an investigation into killings and other alleged crimes.

The 47-member forum, which held an emergency session at U.S. request, endorsed a U.S.-sponsored resolution by 26 votes to 9 with 7 abstentions.

"Member states came together to condemn the brutal tactics used by the Assad regime to silence peaceful dissent," U.S. human rights ambassador Eileen Donahoe said in a statement.

The urgency of holding the special session was "underlined by the disturbing reports today that the regime has continued its violent crackdown in towns across Syria," she added.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/u-n-human-rights-body-passes-resolution-condemning-syria-crackdown-on-protests-1.358908