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     Russia, China Veto UN Resolution Referring Alleged Syria Abuses to ICC

   by VOA News

   Russia and China have vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution to
   refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
   This is the fourth time the two countries have used their veto power to
   block Security Council action targeting Syria since the conflict there
   began in March 2011.
   The French-drafted resolution condemned "widespread violations of human
   rights" by Syrian authorities and pro-government militias, as well as
   abuses by "non-state armed groups."
   More than 50 other nations signed on as co-sponsors of the measure.
   On Wednesday, Russia's Ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin described
   the resolution as a "publicity stunt", saying it would complicate the
   goal of finding a political solution to the crisis.
   Russia is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
   Each member has the ability to stop a resolution or decision by voting
   against it.
   Syria is not a part of the treaty that created the International
   Criminal Court, so a Security Council resolution is the only way for
   ICC prosecutors in The Hague to investigate the alleged abuses.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-china-veto-un-resolution-refer
   ring-alleged-syria-abuses-to-icc-/1920349.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-china-veto-un-resolution-referring-alleged-syria-abuses-to-icc-/1920349.html