Catherine Ashton appalled by massacre in Houla, Syria: Condemns "heinous act" by Syrian regime

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 27 May 2012

A 238/12

Statement by the EU High Representative

Catherine Ashton on Syria

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President

of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"I am appalled by the reports of the brutal massacre by the Syrian armed forces in the town of

Houla, Syria, today, claiming the lives of over 90 people of whom many are children. I condemn in

the strongest terms this heinous act perpetrated by the Syrian regime against its own civilian

population, despite the agreed ceasefire and presence of UN observers.

I call upon the Syrian regime to immediately cease all forms of violence and provide its full support

to the UN observation mission. I call on the government to fully implement Special Envoy Kofi

Annan's six point plan endorsed by UNSC resolution 2043. The EU fully supports Kofi Annan and

his team's efforts paving the way for a political process.

I will talk to Kofi Annan tomorrow to affirm the EU's full support. I also urge the members of the

UN Security Council to remain seized of the matter. The international community must continue to

speak with one voice, demanding an end to the bloodshed and urging Assad to step aside and allow

a democratic transition."

P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - [email protected]

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected]

Sebastien Brabant +32 498 986 433 - [email protected]

[email protected]

www.eeas.europa.eu

EN

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يدين بأشد العبارات مجزرة الحولة التي ارتكبتها قوات النظام السوري وقتل فيها أكثر من 90 شخصًا كثير منهم أطفال.