The Australian Government is gravely concerned at the continuing attacks by the Syrian regime against its citizens, and deplores the ongoing loss of life and displacement of Syrian citizens.
President Assad and the Syrian regime must end the violence now and embark on reform.
The people of Syria deserve the opportunity to express their opinions freely without fear of oppression and participate constructively in shaping the future of their country.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd welcomed the statements agreed by the UN Human Rights Council condemning the situation in Syria and called on the UN Security Council to agree on a resolution that condemns the violence and increases pressure on the regime to change course.
Mr Rudd also renewed calls for the UN Security Council to consider referring the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
"I spoke to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr Jakob Kellenberger, on 17 June about the serious situation in Syria and agreed that the Australian Government would allocate $3 million to its emergency appeal to assist the people of Syria," said Mr Rudd.
Working in conjunction with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the ICRC is one of the few humanitarian organisations with access to the conflict areas. The ICRC is providing vital first aid, medical supplies, food aid and is evacuating the wounded from affected areas.
Media inquiries
Minister's office: (02) 6277 7500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 6277 7500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (02) 6261 1555 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
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