Uganda refuses to condemn Syria violence

Uganda says both sides are armed and therefore responsible.

Kampala

Uganda abstained from condemning Syrian government over the violence in the country in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), saying both warring parties share responsibility to the civilian deaths.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Ambassador Jame Mugume yesterday said it was unfair to accuse only the government of violence and leave out the opposition which is also armed. “These people are arming the opposition and when both sides are armed what do you expect? There will be collateral damage and civilians will be the victims,” Mr Mugume said.

On Friday, the US tabled a resolution in the UNHRC 20 session that condemned what they described as the widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights, acts of violence, ongoing atrocities and indiscriminate targeting of civilians by Syrian authorities.

But Uganda, India and Philippines abstained which a United Kingdom Mission in Geneva through their twitter page stated: “Worrying to see India, Philippines, Uganda abstain on a human rights vote on Syria at HRC20.”
Mr Mugume said their decision was a matter of consistency of policy where people in specific countries are given a chance to decide on their internal matters.

“We took the same position on Libya. Now see what is in Libya. However, we condemn violence and abuse of human rights but in this case both sides should desist from violence,” he said. Russia, China and Cuba voted against the UNHRC resolution while 41 countries voted in favour.

Russia had proposed to include the sentence of “strongly condemns all terrorist acts in Syria” in the text, but was rejected by the UNHRC. Since the Libya war, Uganda and India seem to be distancing themselves from their one-time ally, the US, on foreign intervention in some countries.