Aleppo's sick, hungry and wounded remain stranded amid Russia's 'humanitarian pause'

The UN's Human Rights Council has passed a resolution calling for enhanced investigation of rights violations and abuses in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, a measure aimed to put pressure on Russia.

The council voted 24-7, with 16 abstentions, on the measure at a special council session Friday on the "deterioratingsituation of human rights" in Syria and in Aleppo, a city that has recently faced an onslaught by Russian and Syrianairpower.

The resolution largely reiterated previous council resolutions on Syria, but calls on the Commission of Inquiry on Syria to specifically investigate crimes in Aleppo and report back to the 47-member body.Britain spearheaded the resolution to put pressure on Russia.

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It comes after theUnited Nations saysmedical evacuations from eastern Aleppo had not begun on Friday as it had hoped, as a lack of security guarantees and "facilitation" prevent aid workers taking advantage ofa pause in the bombing announced by Russia.

The UNwants to use thepause to evacuate hundreds of sick and wounded from the besieged part of the city and to make food and aid deliveries, UNhumanitarian spokesman JensLaerketold a regular UNbriefing.

Russia extends break in fighting

Syria's ambassador in Geneva Hussam Aala told Reuters the Syrian government had given the UNthe green light for medical evacuations two days ago.

He said the government had buses and ambulances ready, but the evacuations were not happening because "terrorists" using mortars and snipers were attacking humanitarian corridors and crossing points.

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Russian Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi said the day-to-dusk "humanitarian pause" that began Thursday will be extended for another day on President Vladimir Putin's instructions.

Russia's foreign minister says al-Qaeda-linked militants in Aleppo are refusing to leave the besieged Syrian city along humanitarian corridors created by the Russians and Syrian forces.

Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Friday that Russia is "seriously concerned that, despite the gestures of goodwill from Moscow and Damascus," the fighters from the al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front are "refusing to leave the city."

Lavrov says Aleppo's civilians are also being prevented from leaving the eastern, rebel-held part of the city through the corridors. A pause in the Aleppo fighting was announced this week by Russia to allow civilians and opposition fighters and militants in eastern Aleppo to leave.

Rebels have rejected the offer, saying it isn't serious. Residents have said they fear being arrested by government forces if they evacuate.