The statement below was made by President Barack Obama on August 18, 2011.
What the United States will support is an effort to bring about a Syria that is democratic, just, and inclusive for all Syrians.... We will support this outcome by pressuring President Assad to get out of the way of this transition, and standing up for the universal rights of the Syrian people along with others in the international community.
Which universal right might justify President Obama’s challenge to the Syrian government?