UNHRC condemns foreign fighters in Syria

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution Wednesday, condemning the intervention of foreign combatants in Syrian city of Al Qusayr, Xinhua reported.

The resolution, adopted after an urgent debate held during the council's 23rd session, expressed deep concern that "their involvement further exacerbates the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation, which has a serious negative impact on its region".

Originally drafted by the US, Turkey and Qatar, the resolution also condemned "all human rights violations and abuses" and called upon "all parties to comply strictly with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law".

The situation in Syria reflects a colossal failure to protect civilians, said Navi Pillay, UN High commissioner for Human Rights, Wednesday morning in her opening speech for the urgent debate.

She said she was deeply concerned about the safety of the civilians still trapped in and around Al-Qusayr and was also concerned about reports suggesting that some anti-government armed groups are operating in populated areas and have failed to clearly distinguish themselves from civilians in Al-Qusayr.

"I urge both sides to protect civilians from the ongoing violence and to allow safe passage to those who wish to flee," she said.

"Day after day, children, women and men suffer the brutality of unbridled violence and gross human rights violations by all parties," Pillay said.

She said the increasing number of foreign fighters crossing Syria's borders to support one side or the other was further fueling the sectarian violence. The situation was beginning to reflect worrying signs of destabilising the region as a whole.