Topic: Syria
Country: Portugal
Delegate Name: John Bihn
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Portugal position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
The Portuguese Republic is deeply disturbed by the ongoing events occurring in the Syrian Arab Republic. Since March 2011, dissidents of the Syrian government are being denied basic human rights as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On October 6, the Human Rights Council announced that there have been over 2,900 known deaths in Syria since March, which have come at the hands of official Syrian government troops. Portugal recognizes that Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has called for several reforms, and has claimed that his troops have retreated from several cities where protests are most prevalent. However, it is alarming that these reforms have not been put into place, and that violence continues after Assad’s promises of a cease-fire. This has been recognized by the Arab League, as evidenced in their suspension of Syria from the League until such measures have been taken.
Portugal approves of the measures taken by the Arab League, and also commends the Human Rights Council for passing multiple resolutions that condemn Syria’s human rights violations, most recently on November 21, 2011. But Portugal is fully aware of the additional need to send a unified message through the Security Council that the actions of Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government are not condoned. The European Union, in conjunction with the United States, developed such a message in the form of a draft resolution last month. This text called for an end to violence and human rights violations, and supports the allowance for media and human rights officials to enter Syria. Regretfully, the text was vetoed by both Russia and China, which was followed by an increase in violence in Syria.
The nation of Portugal is disappointed with the veto of this text, but fully resolves to ensure that such an implicit approval of Assad’s tactics does not occur again. Tremendous efforts have already been made to develop an agreeable resolution for all members of the Security Council and Portugal is dedicated to continuing discussions in order to reach a unified conclusion. Additionally, the European Union is currently approving sanctions against Syria. Portugal realizes that the continued financial and material support of the Syrian government will only exacerbate this conflict, and encourages other nations to follow suit. Portugal’s ultimate goal is to see the prompt termination of the appalling and detestable events in Syria, and looks forward to productive discussions with other countries on this subject.
