Syria referral to court nixed

UNITED NATIONS – Russia and China on Thursday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution referring the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court for investigation of possible war crimes, prompting angry responses from the proposal’s supporters who said the two countries should be ashamed.

This is the fourth time Russia and China have used their veto power as permanent council members to deflect action against the government of President Bashar Assad. The 13 other council members voted in favor of the resolution.

More than 60 countries signed on to support the French-drafted measure, in a dramatic demonstration of international backing for justice in the conflict which has sent millions fleeing and killed more than 160,000, according to activists.

The resolution would have referred Syria’s crisis, now in its fourth year, to the world’s permanent war crimes tribunal for investigation of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, without specifically targeting either the government or the opposition.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who had called the vote a French “publicity stunt,” lashed out at France again Thursday. He asked why France was damaging the unity of the five veto-wielding permanent members, who had agreed on earlier resolutions to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons and on improving delivery of humanitarian aid.

China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Wang Min added that a referral to the ICC won’t lead to an early resumption of peace talks.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said, “Sadly, because of the decision by the Russian Federation to back the Syrian regime no matter what it does, the Syrian people will not see justice today.”