Dear friend,

Things are going from bad to worse in Syria.

Sunday was one of the bloodiest days since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March, with an assault on Hama and other cities reportedly killing over 130 anti-government protestors [1].

This morning the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to debate a draft resolution that would hold to account those responsible - but talks remain deadlocked, with some nations preferring a less binding statement. Key countries South Africa, Brazil and India have the power and influence to change that: at this crucial moment, will you stand with the Syrian people and help get the UN resolution over the line?

The Security Council has stood silent on Syria for too long. When uprisings intensified in Libya, it took only weeks before they demanded accountability for the government's crimes. Months of bloodshed have now passed in Syria -- so where's the same UN outrage for Syria?

South Africa, Brazil and India are the countries with the power and responsibility to get the Security Council agreement we need to stop human rights abuses happening in Syria - click here to email their foreign ministers now before the Council meets tomorrow in New York.

This week, as thousands of Syrians start fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, many are likely feeling uncertain about their future and abandoned by the international community. Yet we are not powerless to help. If we act together, we can use our voice to strategically pressure the UN Security Council to do what it must: issue a strong statement to the Syrian forces to immediately end the torture, bloodshed and indiscriminate violence.

With determination,

Michael Hayworth
Crisis Campaigner
Amnesty International Australia

PS. Momentum is building around this campaign! Already close to 5,000 people have emailed the foreign ministers of Brazil, India and South Africa - add your name now and help us reach 10,000 before tomorrow’s Security Council meeting.

[1] Syria crisis: Fresh Hama shelling at start of Ramadan, BBC News, 2 August 2011.