The Assad regime continues to come under criticism at the United Nations. On Thursday, the U.N. Human Rights Council passed a measure condemning Syria for “widespread and systematic violations of human rights.” The Security Council meanwhile has unanimously passed a measure expressing “deep disappointment” over Syria’s refusal to admit U.N. humanitarian aid chief Valerie Amos and “[deploring] the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation” on the ground. The measure passed with the support of Russia and China, who had previously vetoed a resolution critical of the Assad regime. Acting U.N. Security Council president, Mark Lyall Grant of Britain, read out the council’s statement.

Mark Lyall Grant: “The members of the Security Council deplore the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation—in particular, the growing number of affected civilians, the lack of safe access to adequate medical services, and food shortages, particularly in the areas affected by fighting and violence, such as Homs, Hama, Daraa and Idlib. The members of the Security Council call upon the Syrian authorities to allow immediate, full and unimpeded access of humanitarian personnel to all populations in need of assistance, in accordance with international law and guiding principles of humanitarian assistance.”