Believe it - the human cry for freedom and democracy is universal. In Tunisia, what began as a single man's protest, so desperate that he set himself on fire, became a symbol of the yearning for democracy. We have since been moved by the courage of citizens who sought what is naturally theirs in Egypt, Libya and, right now, Syria.

The Assad regime's response has been brutal. An estimated 2900 Syrians now lie dead. Still more have been harmed, imprisoned and tortured. The world was rightly sickened by this. But the Assad regime has shown neither remorse nor any will to change course. Indeed, the violence is escalating.

"China's and Russia's veto is out of step with the international community's calls on Damascus to stop its brutality". Credit:AFP

Australia has consistently called for an end to the violence in Syria, for meaningful political change, and for concerted international pressure. That is why Australia deeply regrets the obstruction of UN Security Council action against Syria.

On October 4 in New York, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution demanding that the Syrian authorities cease human rights violations, allow fundamental freedoms for the Syrian people, and alleviate the humanitarian situation. Nine of 15 members supported the resolution. Importantly, many of Syria's neighbours are part of the global outcry - the Arab League and the Gulf Co-operation Council have called for an end to the bloodshed.