Syria defends rights record at UN

Syria’s deputy foreign minister has defended his country’s human rights record at the United Nations, saying Syria is a victim of lies and terrorist attacks.

Presenting the country’s annual human rights report to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Faisal Mekdad said Syria “is faced with a media war, misinformation, lies, threats and deception”.

Mekdad said 1,100 security personnel had been killed by terrorists who had been armed by neighbouring countries and had “millions of dollars” at their disposal.

According to the United Nations, 2,900 people have been killed since anti-government protests began in Syria in march.

Syria has refused a request to visit the country from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and has not responded to another visit request from international investigators mandated by the Human Rights Council.

In response to the Syrian presentation, Switzerland said it was “particularly shocked” by the violence used by security forces in the country.

Switzerland again called on Syria to end the violence against the civilian population and to bring to justice those responsible for torture and murder.