U.N. General Assembly Condemns Syria Human Rights Abuses

The U.N. General Assembly on Monday passed a resolution condemning human rights in Syria where a government crackdown on protests has left more than 5,000 dead, according to U.N. estimates.

The resolution was passed with 133 countries in favor, 11 against, with 43 abstentions. Syria's U.N. ambassador said the resolution was part of a "devilish" plot against his country.

The condemnation was passed as the U.N. Security Council started separate negotiations on a Russian-proposed resolution which would condemn violence by both sides in the conflict.

Western nations say the Russian draft is unbalanced because it compares the opposition violence to that by the government.

Syria on Monday pledged full cooperation with the Arab League and agreed to allow an observer mission to monitor a deal to end the bloodshed.

Western envoys at the U.N. said the Syrian pledge would be taken into consideration at the talks but expressed doubts that it would be carried out. "It's all about implementation," said Britain's U.N. ambassador Mark Lyall Grant, ahead of the talks.

In October, Russia and China vetoed a resolution proposed by European nations condemning the regime’s crackdown.