Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN H. E. Mr. Sven Jürgenson
Let me begin by extending my gratitude to the Syrian National Coalition for organizing this event in remembrance of peaceful protests, which started in Syria ten years ago. Many of those, who took the streets back then have lost their lives, millions of others have been forced to leave their country.
Today’s briefers are not just activists and observers, but survivors. I thank you for your work, dedication, and sincere testimonies. These presentations were a microcosm of millions of personal tragedies that Syrians now scattered across the world have gone through. It has been a decade of hope, and a decade of destruction.
After more than half-a-million deaths, the situation still remains a living nightmare. War continues, while the pandemic creates new challenges to the Syrian people in overcrowded refugee and IDP camps. In this light, renewing the cross-border aid mechanism this summer is our utmost duty.
Madam Chair – more than a hundred thousand people remain arbitrarily detained or missing in Syria. Estonia, together with the European Union, calls for the creation of an international mechanism to locate missing people or their remains. There must be accountability for the many war crimes and crimes against humanity – and an end to impunity in Syria.
Investigative mechanisms, such as the IIIM of the General Assembly and the Commission of Inquiry of the Human Rights Council play a central role in collecting evidence on these crimes. We continue to work towards accountability, because without justice, there will not be any real peace in Syria. The conflict will not end until the Syrian regime stops using torture to suppress free speech and silence its citizens.
Legitimate claims of the Syrian opposition must be taken into account when looking into the future of Syria. Estonia and other EU member states support free and fair elections in Syria in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254 under supervision of the United Nations, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate. Anything else would be considered yet another farce.
Until there is genuine political progress, sanctions against the Syrian regime will remain in place. Syrian people will be delivered justice; the horrors of the war will never be forgotten.
Once again – my sincere gratitude to our speakers today, your courage is remarkable.