UN Watch statement delivered today by Ms. Lama al-Atassi, Syrian pro-democracy activist, to United Nations Human Rights Council emergency session on The Situation of Human Rights in Syrian Arab Republic, August 22, 2011.
Thank you, Madam President.
We have heard various statements in support of the Syrian government. Allow me to provide an entirely different picture — one reflecting the true reality in Syria.
My name is Lama Atassi. I am a Syrian citizen of Homs, the town which witnessed the greatest number of prisoners and martyrs. The inhabitants of Homs confront fear and live bullets on a daily basis to reclaim their freedom and their rights, as guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I would like to share with you the story of Hadi Al Jendi, a 22-year-old student of Homs who was murdered by his own government on July 22.
Hadi led demonstrations in the streets of Homs. For this sole reason, and after severe threats, he was shot with a bullet to the forehead.
He left the following message:
Go into the streets and claim your freedom, do not return to your homes until it is yours again, even if this means dying as martyrs. My soul longs to see freedom prevail in our country.
Hadi was one of the first students to leave the path of academic education in order to join one committed to democracy and dignity, a new source of education for people in the Syrian streets, which they hope to see applied one day.
I therefore appeal to all of you present today to stand in support of the Syrian people.
I have but one question for those countries which, in UN debates held here or in the Security Council in New York, have opposed a firm condemnation of the crimes committed by the Syrian government – for those countries which have chosen to side with the executioners instead of with the victims.
I ask China, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, Lebanon, Pakistan, India, Brazil and Cuba:
How do you justify your support for a regime that slaughters its own people?
How do can you continue to ignore the rights of the Syrian people?
How will you justify your actions when, in the near future, the people of Syria achieve their freedom?
Thank you, Madam President.
