Minister Baird Statement Following UNSC Deliberations on Situation in Syria

News Release

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**(No. 220 -** **August 3, 2011** **\-** **11 p.m. ET)** John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, issued the following statement following today’s deliberations by the United Nations Security Council on the current situation in Syria:

“Canada welcomes the [United Nations Security Council’s](http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10352.doc.htm) condemnation of the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Assad regime. Canada again condemns the regime’s abhorrent actions against the Syrian people.

“The situation in Hama, in particular, is completely unacceptable. Suppression of human rights is simply not a viable route going forward.

“Canada calls on the Syrian government to respect the right of its people to demonstrate peacefully and to respond to their calls to implement genuine democratic reforms without further delay.

“Canada will continue working with the international community to bring pressure to bear on the Assad regime to stop the assault on its own people.”

Canada continues to advise [against all travel to Syria](http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=283000). Canadians in Syria should consider leaving by commercial means while these are still available.