76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
UN Security Council meeting on Syria (humanitarian)
Statement by DPR Andre Lipand
September 15, New York
I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Griffiths for their briefings. I also thank Ms Qaddour for her statement.
Estonia remains worried about the ongoing tensions and violence in several parts of Syria, which continues to impact civilians and contributes to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Estonia strongly condemns the continued shelling of urban areas in Idlib, where several civilians have been killed in a series of attacks conducted by the forces of the Syrian regime and its allies. Civilians must be protected at all times, and attacks on civilian objects must stop.
We are also concerned about the situation in Daraa. Despite the agreement reached between the Syrian regime and the local forces, the tensions remain high. There is an urgent need to improve the dire humanitarian situation with access restricted, limited food and basic services and over 36 000 people displaced, mostly women and children.
In addition to the dire humanitarian situation caused by ongoing violence and corruption, we are also worried about the increase of COVID-19 infections, especially in northwest Syria, as well as acute water crisis in northeast Syria, causing a rise in outbreaks of waterborne diseases. We call upon all parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to all Syrian people in need.
Estonia note the first cross-line delivery to northwest Syria as a step in a right direction. However, considering the challenges and instability of cross-line aid, it is clear that it does not replace cross-border deliveries, which remain essential.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, more attention should also be addressed to its impact on women and vulnerable groups such as children and persons with disabilities, who remain exposed to increased protection risks. Women are also particularly impacted when they or their family members are detained.
We demand the release of all arbitrarily detained people and political prisoners. We also call for accountability for the many war crimes and crimes against humanity – and an end to impunity.