HRC51: Oral statement during ID with the COI on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

Item 4:ID with the Commission of Inquiry on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the Commission of Inquiry for its report which highlights the continuing necessity of its mandate.

We fully share the Commission’s concerns and reiterate its call for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and cease all attacks on civilians.

Islamist militias continue to operate unchecked, particularly in the north of the country which is currently subject to a Turkish incursion that has created a massive security, humanitarian and refugee crisis.

The conflict has escalated throughout 2022, with reports of increased IS activity as well as regular shelling by Turkish forces.

Israel has also carried out repeated attacks on Syrian soil this year, including on and around the capital, Damascus. Earlier this month the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel had carried out 25 airstrikes and ground rocket attacks in 2022.[1]

These attacks come at a time when Syria is facing severe economic and health crises.

On 10 September the Ministry of Health declared an official outbreak of cholera which the UN humanitarian relief coordinator for Syria has rightly pointed out is likely due to the fact that many Syrians now rely on unsafe water sources as a result of the damage to infrastructure over the past 11 years of war.[2]

We therefore reiterate our longstanding call on the Syrian government to institute a nationwide ceasefire that prioritises the protection of civilians.

We also urge all parties to the conflict to cooperate with the COI and other UN mechanisms to secure a political solution based on an inclusive Syrian identity, rule of law, human rights and accountability.

Thank you

[1] Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, ‘Israeli attacks in 2022 | 75 targets destroyed and over 124 people killed and wounded in 25 attacks so far’, 17 Sep 2022 https://www.syriahr.com/en/267855/

[2] UN News, ‘Syria: Cholera outbreak is ‘serious threat’ to whole Middle East’, 13 Sep 2022 https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126531