Brazil's position on the Resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Syria

Brazil voted in favor of the draft resolution on the human rights situation in Syria adopted today, July 2, by the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).

The text adopted, the result of a thorough and constructive negotiating effort with active Brazilian participation, sought to bring closer positions and take into account concerns of countries which, such as Brazil, had underlying problems with the previous text. The result presentes better balance in comparison to the resolution adopted at the last session of the HRC, last March, which allowed the favorable Brazilian vote. The text addresses the need to seek a political solution to the conflict and the responsibility of all parties to respect human rights.

Brazil sees with great concern the persistence of serious violations of human rights in Syria, a country to which it is connected by ties forged by the large Syrian community that is part of its population, and reiterates its strong support for the efforts of the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and also of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria chaired by Brazilian Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro.

Through its voting explanation, Brazil welcomed "the recognition of the need for a negotiated political solution to the conflict," as well as "the primary responsibility of Syrian authorities for the guarantee of human rights of the Syrian people, respecting international humanitarian law". It also stressed that the responsibility of several armed opposition groups, including the self-called "Islamic State" and the Al-Nusra Front, for serious violations of human rights, should not in any way be minimized, and that "all the atrocities and their perpetrators must be condemned".

The Brazilian Government reaffirms its repudiation to any and all acts of terrorism, religious intolerance and the use of violence against civilian populations, whatever ther origin.

The Brazilian delegation to the HRC reiterated Brazil's commitment to support "all efforts aimed at building a political solution to the Syrian conflict, through transparent, inclusive and non-sectarian negotiations" and urged all parties involved to assume the commitment to dialogue in good faith and "without preconditions".

Under the Brazilian perspective, it is the responsibility of the HRC, in accordance with the conclusions of the Independent Commission of Inquiry, to encourage the resumption of negotiations in favor of a political transition led by the Syrians and backed by the United Nations, to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and lead to sustainable and lasting peace.

Since 2011, in addition to receiving significant number of Syrians refugees, Brazil has provided important donations of food, medicine and funds to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Syria and in neighboring countries.