The European Parliament adopted a resolution reiterating its condemnation in the strongest possible terms, of the increasing use of indiscriminate violence by President Assad's regime against the Syrian civilian population.

The resolution was tabled by the S&D, EPP, ECR, ALDE and Greens/EFA groups.

It expresses Parliament’s deepest concern at the gravity of the human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity authorised and/or perpetrated by the Syrian authorities, the Syrian army, security forces and affiliated militias.

It reiterates its call for President Assad and his regime to step aside immediately , so as to allow a peaceful, inclusive and democratic Syrian-led transition to take place as soon as possible.

Members applaud the efforts of neighbouring countries in providing humanitarian relief to refugees from Syria and call for increased international support and assistance in this context . They urge neighbouring countries to continue to provide protection to refugees from Syria and displaced persons and to refrain from expelling and returning any such persons to Syria. Parliament calls on the EU to take appropriate responsible measures regarding the possible influx of refugees into its Members States.

It welcomes the EU's readiness to offer additional support, including financial resources, to help neighbouring countries , including Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, to host the increasing number of refugees from Syria, and urges the EU and its Member States to step up their efforts to find alternative ways to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria, in spite all the obstacles and difficulties.

Members support calls by several opposition groups and the Turkish Government to establish safe havens along the Turkish-Syrian border, and possibly within Syria, as well as the creation of humanitarian corridors by the international community. They call on the VP/HR to intensify discussions with Turkey, the Arab League and the Syrian opposition on the establishment of these safe havens to take in Syrian refugees and allow those persecuted by the regime to find refuge and protection.

Parliament expresses its concern about further militarisation of the conflict and sectarian violence and the spillover effects of the Syrian conflict in neighbouring countries. It supports the EU's ongoing efforts to step up the pressure on President Assad's regime through restrictive measures, and calls on the Council to consider the adoption of additional restrictive measures against external actors and groups that undisputedly provide crucial financial and operational support to the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Members deplore the fact that the UN Security Council has failed to act and has not agreed on a resolution to add more robust and effective pressure in order to end the violence in Syria.

They reiterate their call on UN Security Council members, in particular Russia and China, to uphold their responsibility to put an end to the violence and repression against the Syrian people, including by supporting forced compliance with UNSC resolutions 2042 and 2043 . They continue to support the efforts of the EU and its Member States in this regard, and call on the VP/HR to do her utmost to secure the adoption of a UNSC resolution, exerting effective diplomatic pressure on both Russia and China.

Parliament stresses that the EU should stand ready to adopt further measures and to continue to explore within the UNSC all options within the Responsibility to Protect framework, in close cooperation with the US, Turkey and the League of Arab States in order to assist the Syrian people and to halt the bloodshed.

Members welcome the efforts made by Syrian opposition representatives to create a united front of opposition forces, and urge the VP/HR and EU Member States to make every effort to unify the Syrian opposition . They urge the VP/HR to make every effort to start discussions with the authorities of Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the Arab League and the Syrian opposition on preparing the peaceful transition for the post-Assad Syria .

Lastly, Parliament reiterates its strong endorsement of the call by the UN Human Rights Commissioner for a referral by the UNSC of the situation in Syria to the ICC for a formal investigation .