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Syria: UN human rights panel hears resolution proposal Syria: UN human rights panel hears resolution proposal
(40 minutes later)
Britain, France and Germany are asking the United Nations to pass a resolution condemning Syrian violence against opposition protesters.Britain, France and Germany are asking the United Nations to pass a resolution condemning Syrian violence against opposition protesters.
Tuesday's vote in the human rights committee of the General Assembly would carry moral but not legal weight.Tuesday's vote in the human rights committee of the General Assembly would carry moral but not legal weight.
Meanwhile, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Syria's president to step down to avoid further bloodshed.Meanwhile, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Syria's president to step down to avoid further bloodshed.
The call came as Syrian activists said four children were killed on Tuesday by shots fired from a military checkpoint.The call came as Syrian activists said four children were killed on Tuesday by shots fired from a military checkpoint.
The vote on the resolution is due to take place at the UN in New York between 10:00 and 13:00 local time (15:00-18:00 GMT). The European nations hope this will be a first step to bringing the issue back to the UN Security Council.The vote on the resolution is due to take place at the UN in New York between 10:00 and 13:00 local time (15:00-18:00 GMT). The European nations hope this will be a first step to bringing the issue back to the UN Security Council.
A previous attempt to pass a resolution in the security council was vetoed by Russia and China.A previous attempt to pass a resolution in the security council was vetoed by Russia and China.
The latest resolution has no mention of sanctions, instead calling on the Syrian government to end all human rights violations and condemning systematic abuses. It calls on Syria to implement the Arab League plan to end the violence.The latest resolution has no mention of sanctions, instead calling on the Syrian government to end all human rights violations and condemning systematic abuses. It calls on Syria to implement the Arab League plan to end the violence.
Syria's ambassador to the UN, accused the Europeans of declaring "diplomatic war" on his country.Syria's ambassador to the UN, accused the Europeans of declaring "diplomatic war" on his country.
'Leave that seat''Leave that seat'
Meanwhile, in his harshest words yet on the issue, Prime Minister Erdogan called for Bashar al-Assad to step down as Syrian president.Meanwhile, in his harshest words yet on the issue, Prime Minister Erdogan called for Bashar al-Assad to step down as Syrian president.
It was the first time the Turkish leader had directly called for his removal from power. Last week King Abdullah of Jordan became the first regional leader to call on Mr Assad to go.It was the first time the Turkish leader had directly called for his removal from power. Last week King Abdullah of Jordan became the first regional leader to call on Mr Assad to go.
"For the welfare of your own people and the region, just leave that seat," Mr Erdogan said in a televised speech."For the welfare of your own people and the region, just leave that seat," Mr Erdogan said in a televised speech.
"If you want to see someone who has fought until death against his own people, just look at Nazi Germany, just look at Hitler, at Mussolini, at Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania," he said."If you want to see someone who has fought until death against his own people, just look at Nazi Germany, just look at Hitler, at Mussolini, at Nicolae Ceausescu in Romania," he said.
"If you cannot draw any lessons from these, then look at the Libyan leader who was killed just 32 days ago.""If you cannot draw any lessons from these, then look at the Libyan leader who was killed just 32 days ago."
His comments came a day after Turkish President Abdullah Gul, speaking to the BBC, said the Syrian regime had reached a "dead end" and it was prepared for the worst-case scenario.His comments came a day after Turkish President Abdullah Gul, speaking to the BBC, said the Syrian regime had reached a "dead end" and it was prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Turkey has allowed Syrian refugees and military defectors to take refuge on its soil, and Syria's political opposition has used Turkey as a place to meet and organise.Turkey has allowed Syrian refugees and military defectors to take refuge on its soil, and Syria's political opposition has used Turkey as a place to meet and organise.
The UN estimates that more than 3,500 people have died since the start of the protests against Mr Assad in March.The UN estimates that more than 3,500 people have died since the start of the protests against Mr Assad in March.
The Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs and militants.The Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs and militants.
In the latest violence, the Local Coordination Committees, an activist network, and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four children, between the ages of 10 and 15, were killed by gunshots fired at random from a military checkpoint near the town of Houla, in the restive Homs province. In the latest violence, the Local Coordination Committees, an activist network, said four children, between the ages of 10 and 15, were killed by gunshots fired at random from a military checkpoint near the town of Houla, in the restive Homs province. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported two teenagers and one child shot dead in the same incident.
The LCC also reported five other people killed, one in Homs and four others in Hama.
The LCC said Syrian forces backed by tanks and armoured vehicles stormed the area of Houla and were besieging the district of Bayada in Homs, a hotbed of dissent against President Assad's regime.The LCC said Syrian forces backed by tanks and armoured vehicles stormed the area of Houla and were besieging the district of Bayada in Homs, a hotbed of dissent against President Assad's regime.
On Monday, at least 20 people died including two women and a child, with the highest number of deaths near the flashpoint city of Homs, activists from the LCC said in a statement. On Monday, at least 20 people died including two women and a child, with the highest number of deaths near Homs, activists from the LCC said in a statement.