A resolution at the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court was blocked by Russia and China last week, despite securing the backing of 65 countries and the rest of the Security Council.
Earlier 58 countries and over 100 NGOs had written to the Council, urging them to pass the resolution. Before the vote, United Nations deputy secretary general Jan Eliasson also called upon the Council, stating,
Earlier 58 countries and over 100 NGOs had written to the Council, urging them to pass the resolution. Before the vote, United Nations deputy secretary general Jan Eliasson also called upon the Council, stating,
“If members of the Council continue to be unable to agree on a measure that could provide some accountability for the ongoing crimes... the credibility of this body and the entire organization will continue to suffer.”Immediately after the Chinese and Russian vetoes, Samantha Power, the US ambassador, said,
"The Syrian people will not see justice today. They will see crime, but not punishment. The vetoes today have prevented the victims of atrocities from testifying at The Hague."Whilst Russia had earlier publicly denounced the move, slamming it as “ill-timed and counter productive”, China remained publicly silent on the issue. Nonetheless both countries vetoed the resolution.