Baird Disturbed by Horrific Violence in Syria

News Release

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**June 12, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“I am deeply disturbed by the dangerous escalation of violence in Syria.

“The Assad regime’s use of helicopters to attack civilians and its reported plans for further massacres demonstrate yet again that it places no value on human life. Rather than fulfill his promise to stop the violence, Assad seems determined to slaughter innocent Syrians in a desperate attempt to cling to power.

“Canadians were horrified by the disturbing details of the latest reports documenting the Assad regime’s abuse of children, including senseless killing, torture, sexual abuse and use as human shields.

“All parties must respect the ceasefire, cooperate with the UN observers and support the efforts of UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan to resolve the crisis.

“We urge Russia and all members of the UN Security Council to come together and adopt tough binding sanctions against this reckless regime.”