Pretoria - South Africa has reiterated its condemnation of the killing of Syrian people and has once again called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, says Justice and Constitutional Development Deputy Minister Andries Nel.
Speaking in Geneva at the 19th Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria, Nel said the country condemned the killings of men, women and children in the Syrian village of El-Houleh.
"We wish to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all the families of the victims of the horrific tragedy and we extend our solidarity to all the people of Syria in these difficult times," he said on Friday, adding that those responsible for the killings should be brought to book.
"We support a thorough and immediate investigation into these killings with the full involvement of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) and the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council," he said.
"It remains imperative that the use of violence by all parties in Syria immediately cease and that stability returns to the country.
"South Africa believes that the 6-Point Peace Plan for Syria, as presented by Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan, [is] an opportunity to resolve this conflict in an inclusive and legitimate manner. Every effort possible should be made to support and ensure the implementation of this plan."
