UNESCO condemns Syria over human rights

U.N. cultural agency UNESCO condemned Syria on Thursday for its crackdown on a year-long uprising but did not go as far as some Western and Arab demands to expel the country from its human rights committee, diplomatic sources said.

The resolution submitted by Saudi Arabia, Britain and other countries, criticized Damascus for “the continued widespread and systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities.”

Thirty-five countries voted for the resolution condemning Syria on Thursday. Eight were against, 14 abstained and 1 delegation was absent.