UN Security Council condemns massacre in Syria; Terrorist attack in Yemen condemned; India pushes for global internet governance; India under the scanner at UNHRC; UN criticized for failing in Syria; Three Indian security personnel to be honoured on UN
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    • According to reports, in an emergency meeting, the UN Security Council voiced its condemnation of the recent massacre of civilians in the Syrian village of Houla. The Council condemned the killing of civilians at close range and by severe physical abuse. The 15-member body also demanded that the Syrian Government immediately cease the use of heavy weapons in population centres as well as immediately pull back its troops. 1

    Meanwhile, the UNSC and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned a terrorist attack in the Yemeni city of Sana’a which killed 96 soldiers and wounded more than 300 people. The UN also expressed its sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families and the Government of Yemen. 2

    In another development, at the UN, India is pushing for an open democratic system of global internet governance which will balance private, commercial and public policy interests. India also called for a committee to look into the various issues of internet governance. As far internet governance is concerned, India wants an open, flexible and transparent architecture to keep the internet free and on cyber security, it wants to build offensive capabilities that will enable it to take initiative in a cyber war. 3

    Reports noted that during the periodic review of India’s human rights record at the UNHRC, the Attorney General G Vahanavati gave a ‘reassuring’ picture and said that the country has the ability to ‘self-correct and has redressal mechanisms available’. On being questioned about the AFSPA, Vahanavati pointed out that the constitutionality of the Act was upheld by the Supreme Court. 4

    Meanwhile, the UN reportedly, came under the scanner for failing to address the Syrian crisis. Amnesty International, in its report criticized the UN Security Council and said that it was suffering from a failure of leadership and seems ‘tired, out of step and increasingly unfit for purpose’. It also chastised the ‘determination’ of some permanent members to shield the Syrian regime ‘at all cost’. According to the report, this redundancy made a compelling case for the Syrian situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court for investigations of crimes against humanity. 5

    In other developments, reports noted that at the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29, 2012, three Indian security personnel, Rifleman Lundup Gailpo, Major Jaidev Singh Guleria and police constable Pritam Singh who lost their lives during UN peacekeeping operations will be honoured. 6

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