U.S. Syria Strike 'Doesn't Address Problem', Says Amnesty Chief
A U.S. strike on a Syrian air base is no substitute for a proper investigation and accountability after a devastating suspected chemical weapons attack, Amnesty International's chief said on Tuesday.
"The biggest challenge we have in Syria, the reason why this keeps happening again and again is because there is no accountability and no justice," Salil Shetty told AFP.
"It's one thing to have some air strikes by the U.S. on a one-off basis, but it's not going to address this problem," he said.
Washington last week launched its first direct military action against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, after accusing the Syrian leader of using chemical weapons on a rebel-held town, killing dozens of people.
But Shetty said a "knee-jerk reaction" to the attack on Khan Sheikhun was insufficient.
"It has to be part of a much larger concerted effort to ensure accountability; you can't just have a knee-jerk reaction," he said, urging a U.N. investigation.
Washington launched its attack on the Shayrat air base in central Syria's Homs province after the U.N. Security Council failed to take action, with Assad ally Russia opposing a draft resolution setting the terms for a swift inquiry.
Moscow has regularly blocked Security Council resolutions it considers unfair to Damascus, and Shetty slammed all five permanent members of the council for playing "politics."
"What does the situation in Syria symbolize? It symbolizes the fact that our global ability to enforce human rights is in shambles," he said.
"Instead of taking care of global peace and global interests, they play politics."
He also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to bar Syrian refugees, saying they stood "in complete contradiction" to the concern he expressed for civilians in the wake of the Khan Sheikhun attack.
More than 320,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
More than five million Syrians have become refugees, with most finding safety in neighboring countries, including Lebanon.
Over a million Syrian refugees are being hosted by the tiny country, with just four million citizens, and their presence has led to increasing social tension and even calls to begin returning them.
Shetty praised Lebanon for its welcome of refugees, and said Amnesty would continue pressuring the international community to provide greater assistance to the government to absorb spiraling costs.
But he also warned against "a growing tide of xenophobic talk" in the country.
"It is important for the leaders of this country to send a clear message... that is beyond the pale, that is not acceptable," he said.
"The Lebanese have not been xenophobic: you've done so much and this is a good time for you to reign in those kinds of tendencies."
11 April 2017, 19:19
49
"flamethrower........
amnesty is a zionist globalist covert subversion organization in any way you turn it, my bro.."
11 April 2017, 20:07
133
and now that they are asking for more strikes on Syria under false pretenses, you're kind of making FT's point.
11 April 2017, 21:23
49
wikipedia also is a zionist organization according to you; and like a president you sometimes have to quote them and do the distasteful stuff right?
lol @ the irani troll
11 April 2017, 21:38
48
lol @ mowateh
guide us your mullahness to where Amnesty is asking for more strikes on Syria under false pretenses?
12 April 2017, 00:17
48
LoL Justin, you just made me realize I'm a benevolent for a Zionist organization... Such a troll and joke Mowaten is.
12 April 2017, 01:04
113
again justin, despite your made up quotes I don't think I said wikipedia was a zionist organization.
although, to state the obvious for the retards among us, the fact that it is editable by anyone means caution is required regarding its content.
ps: to state the obvious, again, for the particularly dull among us, it doesn't mean that EVERYTHING on it is false, or that EVERYTHING on it is true. capisce?
12 April 2017, 10:52
46
_mowaten_ 10 hours ago
again justin, despite your made up quotes I don't think I said wikipedia was a zionist organization.
_mowaten_
I never said that (wikipedia is a zionist organization)
lol @mowateh, but you did!
_mowaten_
geha, you aim to inform or you aim to insult? methinks it's the latter, so shut up, scumbag, and stand corrected. quoting zionist site Wikipedia for historical events sure serves your non existent credibility.
12 April 2017, 14:14
51
I already asked you for a link to this comment eaglyawn, i guess the reason why you couldnt provide it is because it's fake?
12 April 2017, 14:41
25
@mowateh dear
You know I don't keep links of your filthy comments. However, I do keep copies of them to shove them down for throat when needed and this time is no different.
You have never challenged the authenticity of what I provide, why now? It makes it all more true ya troll.
12 April 2017, 15:02
14
I have the utmost respect for Mr. Mowaten because he is nice, wise and never tells a lie.
I also respect him for many other things best kept private.
12 April 2017, 17:37
60
It's not the first time I call you a liar eagly, I'm sure if you look in your archives you'll find more than enough examples of that. In the meantime, go choke on a toe.
12 April 2017, 18:01
12
Hey _mowaten_…you are one man army...in this site so many personnels against you and you never backdown you tweet them back like a birdie on Twitter…I salute your pure shia iranian spirit.. I luv it.
11 April 2017, 19:34
47
but why is the patriotic resisting president meeting with amnesty chiefif it were a zionist organization???
12:10استقبل الرئيس عون الأمين العام لمنظمة العفو الدولية سليل شيتي في حضور وزير العدل سليم جريصاتي. ۔
11 April 2017, 20:04
103
a president sometimes has to do some distasteful stuff in the exercise of his function. sometimes the horror even goes as far as meeting with zionist stooges otherwise known as "US officials".
11 April 2017, 21:41
48
lol @ mowateh
aren't you glad you declined the U.S nationality when it was offered to you on a plate?
btw @mowateh, are you still pumping gas at that same ole station in Dearborn Michigan between 43rd and 5th street opposite Payless drugstore?
12 April 2017, 01:06
113
yes eagleyawn, I'm very glad I dont belong to a country that is basically a b* to israel. despite the many obstacles we face in lebanon, at least we still have some dignity.
12 April 2017, 05:56
47
when poster justin asked why is aoun meeting with the head of a zionist organization, mowaten the heretic admits amnesty is a zionist organization but says the president has to do sometimes distasteful things.
In the first part of the thread he denies it is a zionist organization.
Does this filth have any credibility left?
12 April 2017, 14:16
61
lol "warrior" are you that dumb you can't realize wikipedia and amnesty are two different things?
11 April 2017, 21:21
47
lol indeed. How many years did you spend as Presidential advisor and head of protocol?
11 April 2017, 21:45
47
don't you love the troll's justifications when his nose is rubbed in the mud;))!
12 April 2017, 18:36
12
go find yourself a life ya heretic. On every article you have 10-20 posts that reflect your worthless life.
12 April 2017, 15:13
17
Akh mowateh... the mentally challenged... he has the same sickness Southy has... he sees "zionists" everywhere... poor brain washed creature...
12 April 2017, 17:38
60
Oh you'd know, you're like the leading authority on mental challenge.
