Thursday, 15 September 2011 - Strasbourg

Explanations of vote:

Motions for resolutions: RC B7-0482/2011

Pino Arlacchi (S&D ), in writing . − I voted for this Resolution because it has never been more important than now to take a clear position against what is happening in Syria. Since March 2011, more than 2 200 civilians have been killed and many others arrested in the deliberate brutal repression of peaceful protestors by the Syrian regime. President Bashar al-Assad must now step aside in order to open the way to fulfiling the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Syrian people. The EU is unified in asking for an immediate end to violent crackdowns against peaceful demonstrators. All international humanitarian organisations, as well as international media, must have full access to the country.

It is imperative to start an independent investigation into the killings and instances of torture by Syrian security forces in order to ensure that perpetrators of such acts are held to account. The crisis in Syria constitutes a threat to the stability of the entire Middle East region, and the EU and its Member States should continue cooperating closely with Syria's neighbours, the Arab League and other international actors in order to prevent the potential escalation of the current crisis in Syria to other areas in the region.

[source:www.europarl.europa.eu]