Canada deplores Russia UN veto on Syria

Statements

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April 12, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Canada deplores the Russian veto during today’s UN Security Council vote. This is Russia’s eighth veto on Syria. This systematic obstruction at the UN callously ignores the suffering of Syrians and prevents the perpetrators of these horrifying atrocities from being held accountable.

“Of the 15 members of the UN Security Council, only Bolivia joined with Russia, who vetoed the resolution. Canada would like to thank Egypt, Italy, Japan, Senegal, Sweden, Ukraine, and Uruguay, who all voted in favour, especially France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the resolution’s co-sponsors. Canada would also like to acknowledge China, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan, who abstained from this vote.

“Canada urges Russia and Iran, as supporters of the Assad regime, to join with the international community in condemning this heinous and illegal use of chemical weapons.”