Russia, China reject UN move to rebuke Syrian president

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8. Amnesty Int.: Double veto of draft Security Council Resolution on Syria a betrayal of protesters

The decision by Russia and China to veto a weak draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria, the day after the Syrian army launched a major assault on residential areas of Homs leaving scores dead, is a shockingly callous betrayal of the people of Syria, Amnesty International said today.

"This is a completely irresponsible use of the veto by Russia and China," said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International's Secretary-General.

"It is staggering that they have blocked the passage of what was already a very weak draft resolution. After a night in which the whole world watched the people of Homs suffering, the actions of these members are particularly shocking."

Apart from a presidential statement issued in August 2011 condemning human rights violations, the Security Council has not acted on the crisis in Syria since the uprising began in March 2011.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/double-veto-draft-security-council-resolution-syria-betrayal-protesters-2012-02-04