| Whereas, the current Syrian regime has used deadly violence against
peaceful protesters; and
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/12/15/all-means-necessary-0
Whereas, thousands of Syrian civilians have been brutally killed and
thousands more are being held within prisons, where they are being
tortured and punished due to their peaceful opposition towards the current
regime; and
Whereas, the Syrian regime continues to violently massacre entire
families, including women and children; and
Whereas, Chancellor Michael Drake publicly stated, “We join the world
community in expressing outrage at the continued violence toward unarmed
civilians in Syria and in demanding that the violence stop.”
Whereas, UC Irvine has become a leading member of the University of
California Initiative for Human Rights, which seeks to secure the
University's position as a leader in human rights research and training;
and http://uchumanrights.ucdavis.edu/irvine
Whereas, Hazem Chehabi serves as an official representative of a foreign
regime that continues to commit crimes against humanity; and
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/06/01/we-ve-never-seen-such-horror-0
Whereas, Hazem Chehabi is honored by UCI through his position as Chair of
the UCI Board of Trustees; and
http://www.ucifoundation.org/Pages.aspx/Hazem-Chehabi
Whereas, Hazem Chehabi, Syrian Honory Consu has continuously refused to step down as the Syrian
Honorary Consul General or condemn the killing of innocent civilians by
the Syrian regime;and
Whereas, the continued tenure of Hazem Chehabi directly contradicts the
values and goals the University wishes to establish as a beacon for human
rights protection; and
Whereas, UC Irvine, which prides itself on teaching the values of
democracy and freedom should take a stance against any regime that
violates human rights; and
Whereas, the University must strive to always take a stance against
violent regimes, especially in times of continuous mass killings and human
rights violations; and
Whereas, the University should follow through with condemning the Syrian
Regime human rights violations by discontinuing the support for the Syrian
Honorary Consul General.
LET IT BE RESOLVED, that we demand the University to uphold its values and
take a stand for human
rights and the accessibility of freedom and democracy for everyone; and
LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED, that we demand the University administration
and the UC Irvine Foundation Trustees take the necessary actions to remove Hazem
Chehabi from his position as Chair of the Board of Trustees, as he is
an official representative of a government that continues to
systematically violate human rights. |