UNGA 74,
Statement at the Security Council Arria meeting on children´s rights in Syria,
Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson,
February 19, New York
Thank you, Mr Chair,
We thank Professor Pinheiro for his presentation and the members of the Commission for their tremendous work and presence here today.
We repeatedly called for the voices of other parties from Syria to be heard at the Council – and are glad that the work of the Commission adds to this, giving voice to those, upon whom the future of Syria will depend in the decades to come.
This report is an important contribution to the investigation of abuses and violations of international law in Syria, and especially in connection to the violation of rights of the most vulnerable members of the society – children. As such, it is unquestionably relevant for the Security Council to consider.
Children have been disproportionally vulnerable to violence and abuses in Syria. Living through conflict and displacement, far from home, these children are now becoming a lost generation without hope for a better future.
The report of the Commission – which is based on thousands of interviews – provides a deeply distressing overview of the serious and widespread violations of the rights of children by all parties to the conflict during the last 9 years. It also points to the long-term psycho-social impact that local communities are going through.
The report reflects the Syrian Government’s continued disregard towards its obligations under international law. The vast numbers of children killed, wounded and maimed, detained and tortured, denied from medical care – these are just some examples of the most brutal violations described in the report.
It was heart breaking to learn from the report about children born in Government detention facilities, separated immediately from their mothers with their fate and whereabouts unknown. Estonia demands the release of all arbitrarily detained, especially women and children.
As we have repeatedly said, and also once again during the morning session: all parties to the conflict must cease immediately all military activities. The solution to the conflict can be political only, through a genuine political transition in line with resolution 2254, including ensuring justice to victims of these horrific crimes.
We recall the importance of implementing the conclusions on Syria of the SC Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict from 2019, as well as the relevant Council resolutions on children and armed conflict, and women, peace and security.
Thank you, Mr Chair!
