The new head of the Israeli Human Rights Committee says Syria is "beyond our ability to help"



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The head of the newly-elected Israeli Human Rights Committee declared that his body's ability to influence the situation in Syria was almost "non-existent" and would remain so until "We are conducting dialogues with governments that have some control over the territory and have some interest in promoting human rights, I do not think these conditions currently exist in Syria," said Yuval Shany. Since 19 June, the Syrian regime, backed by its ally Russia, has been conducting a deadly bombing campaign to retake the strategic area bordering Jordan and the Israeli heights of the Golan Heights.

At least 132 civilians, including 25 children, were killed in the latest wave of fighting in Daraa, according to the Observatory. The UN warned that more than 750,000 lives are at risk in the south.

"In the end, this must be a situation where high politics at the Security Council level is infused by human rights and other interests actors and introduce some stability for allow organizations like us to play a more driving role, "said Shany. "But I'm afraid this situation is beyond our ability to help unfortunately."

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting in camera on Thursday on the offensive.

Shany's comments came the day after being unanimously elected to chair the committee by 18 independent experts. Highlighting the importance of the institution in controlling the human rights of 171 countries, he said that he hoped to "help make the committee more effective."

Regarding the potential sensitivity of a selected Israeli leader of the committee, given Israel's often criticized policies on Palestinians, Shany said that since the body is "run by independent experts, the people on the ground are sophisticated enough to distinguish between the council and the committee. "

Thus," I do not think that will happen significantly, "he said.

Regarding one of Israel's most violent, challenges, tension with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Shany said that "the HR Committee is monitoring both the rights record of the Israeli man, but he will also look at the record of human rights of Palestinians In due course, both sides should play a constructive role in relieving the real suffering. "

" The committee has in the past urged Israel to consider easing the blockade or restrictions on travel to Gaza. I am sure that when Palestinians appear before the committee, they will criticize aspects of Palestinian politics that have adverse consequences in Gaza, for example the end of the PA to use electricity or the payment of wages. as a lever to pressurize the local population. . "

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