UNGA 74,
Security Council meeting on Syria,
Delivered by the Permanent Representative of Estonia, Ambassador Sven Jürgenson,
February 19, New York
Mr. President,
First, let me thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Undersecretary Lowcock for their briefings, and their efforts in working for the sake of the Syrian people.
The main takeaway of the briefings is simple. As it is now, the Constitutional Committee is dysfunctional. Astana Format is dysfunctional. Since our last regular meeting, little progress have been made to convene a third session of the Committee. At the same time – war in Syria continues with full force.
Instead of dedicating itself to a political process, as set out in the resolution 2254, the Syrian regime continues to block any steps towards de-escalation.
Let us not forget – it is not only a rhetorical stalemate. The empty promises are followed by attacks against fleeing civilians in Idlib, whose numbers are now more than 900 thousand.
That is why Estonia joins today those countries, who call for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need across the country.
Unfortunately, the Syrian regime and Russia have chosen a military solution over a political one. It is a grave mistake. The so called “liberation” of demolished cities is one thing; but to actually rebuild a country completely different.
Our Syrian colleagues here need to understand, that Russian and Iranian bullets will not feed their nation. That is also a reason, why almost no people are willing to return to regime held areas.
Estonia and the members of the European Union remain fully committed to finding a lasting and credible political solution to the conflict in Syria, as defined in the UN Security Council resolution 2254 and in the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.
This includes an actually working Constitutional Committee, political transition with free and fair elections, release of arbitrarily detained people, and accountability for those, who have violated human rights and committed crimes against humanity.
Accountability mechanisms, such as the IIIM of the General Assembly, Commission of Inquiry of the Human Rights Council, Fact Finding Missions of OPCW – all these play a central role in collecting evidence and uncovering crimes against Syrians from both sides. We fully support these efforts, and hope to bring them closer to the Security Council, and in its agenda.
However, if the government in Damascus decides to ignore the demands of resolution 2254, and continue carrying out attacks, then instead of recognition, the Syrian government will face growing international isolation.
The ‘Caesar Act’ of the United States, recently expanded sanctions of the European Union, and other similar means underpin this pariah status of the Syrian regime. The EU already has in its sanctions’ lists 277 persons and 71 entities. These numbers are destined to grow.
European Union has made it clear, that the support to the reconstruction of Syria can only come, when a comprehensive and inclusive political transition is underway, based on the resolution 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.
I thank you Mr. President
Full briefing: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/watch/middle-east-8727th-security-council-meeting/6133894673001/?term=
