UN Particular Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen referred to as for a direct finish to hostilities and urged all events to guard civilians in accordance with worldwide regulation.
“What started as a plea for reform was met with staggering brutality, resulting in one of the crucial harrowing conflicts of our time,” he stated in a assertion on Friday, recalling the peaceable pro-democracy protests that began on 15 March 2011 and have been met with brutal repression.
“Households proceed to mourn the lack of family members, communities stay fractured, hundreds of thousands stay uprooted from their houses, and much too many persist of their seek for the lacking. The ache and sacrifices of the Syrian folks must not ever be forgotten.”
Brutal battle
Within the preliminary months of the disaster, as many as 2,000 civilians have been killed, with 1000’s extra struggling enforced disappearances, torture, deprivation of liberty and persecution. Navi Pillay, the then UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights, described the sample of violations as “widespread and systematic” towards the civilian inhabitants, “which can quantity to crimes towards humanity.”
Since 2011, Syria spiraled right into a brutal battle, with civilians subjected to medieval sieges, chemical weapon assaults and barrel bombs.
Over time, a whole lot of 1000’s of civilians have been killed and greater than 12 million compelled to flee their houses, together with over six million who fled as refugees to neighbouring international locations.
Syria at crossroads
The Assad regime fell in December 2024, however Syria stays at a crossroads, with combating erupting between Syrian Caretaker Authority forces and troopers loyal to the previous regime, and a urgent humanitarian disaster.
“Greater than three months for the reason that fall of the Assad regime, Syria now stands at a pivotal second,” Mr. Pedersen stated.
“Syrians have skilled feelings of nice hopes in these occasions – but additionally of deep fears,” he added, expressing deep concern over violence towards civilians.
The Particular Envoy emphasised that constructing belief is important to a profitable transition, warning that “a local weather of mistrust and worry might endanger the whole course of.”
Time for daring strikes
Mr. Pedersen referred to as for inclusive governance, citing the Nationwide Dialogue as a basis and urging concrete follow-up actions. He additionally took be aware of the caretaker authorities’ newly issued Constitutional Declaration, expressing hope that it could lay the groundwork for restoring the rule of regulation and making certain a secure transition.
“Now could be the time for daring strikes to create a genuinely credible and inclusive transitional authorities and legislative physique, a constitutional framework and course of to draft a brand new structure for the long run that’s credible and inclusive, and real transitional justice,” he stated.
He reiterated the necessity for full political inclusion of Syrian girls in shaping the nation’s future.
“The United Nations stands able to help this course of consistent with Safety Council decision 2254,” Mr. Pedersen stated.
UN Picture/Manuel Elías
UN Secretary-Normal António Guterres. (file)
Standing with the folks: UN chief
UN Secretary-Normal António Guterres additionally underscored the pressing want for “daring and decisive measures” to make sure security, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians.
“Since 8 December [2024], there’s renewed hope that Syrians can chart a distinct course and the possibility to rebuild, reconcile, and create a nation the place all can dwell peacefully and in dignity,” he stated in a assertion on Thursday.
“Now could be the time for motion. Daring and decisive measures are urgently wanted to make sure that each Syrian – no matter ethnicity, faith, political affiliation, or gender – can dwell in security, dignity, and with out worry.”
He reiterated UN’s dedication to supporting an inclusive political transition that ensures accountability, fosters nationwide therapeutic, and lays the muse for Syria’s long-term restoration and reintegration into the worldwide neighborhood.
“We stand with the Syrian folks in the direction of the promise of a greater Syria – for all Syrians. Collectively, we should be sure that Syria emerges from the shadows of conflict right into a future outlined by dignity and the rule of regulation – the place all voices are heard, and no neighborhood is left behind,” Mr. Guterres stated.
Shield all civilians: Safety Council
Additionally on Friday, the UN Safety Council referred to as for the implementation of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political course of, facilitated by the United Nations and based mostly on the important thing ideas listed in decision 2254 (2015).
“This contains safeguarding the rights of all Syrians, no matter ethnicity and faith. This political course of ought to meet the respectable aspirations of all Syrians, shield all of them and allow them to peacefully, independently and democratically decide their futures,” learn a assertion by the President of the Safety Council.
The Council additionally condemned the widespread violence in Latakia and Tartus provinces since 6 March, together with mass killings of civilians among the many Alawite neighborhood, underlining the urgency of inclusive, clear justice and reconciliation in Syria.
Presidential statements are issued by the President of the Safety Council on behalf of its members. The statements are adopted at a proper assembly and issued as an official doc of the UN’s major physique on worldwide peace and safety.
