President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, welcomes Human Rights Council decision during his visit to Geneva...

Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, on the occasion of his visit to Geneva and following his meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, issued the following statement:

"With my presence today in Geneva I want to underline that the UN organisations can count on the full support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is a guardian of human rights all over the world and within the EU.

I welcome the resolutions passed today by the Human Rights Council particularly on Myanmar and Syria. I met the President of Myanmar in Brussels a few weeks ago. It is paramount that the Government of Myanmar continues its democratic reforms and addresses the remaining human rights issues. The resolution, which was initiated by the European Union and which was adopted in the Human Rights Council by consensus, will allow us together with the Office of the High Commissioner to assist the Government on this path to democracy.

I equally welcome the extension of the mandate of the international Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Syria for one year. The Council has strongly spoken out in favour of ending impunity. It is an important point for the European Union that the perpetrators of human rights violations are to be held accountable."