HRC43: Oral statement during ID with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria

Agenda Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the COI on the Syrian Arab Republic

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Madame President

CSW is deeply concerned by the recent offensive by Russian and Syrian troops in the north western province of Idlib.

The offensive has caused the displacement of nearly one million civilians and the death of several hundred. 40 children have reportedly died due to severe weather conditions. The situation is exacerbated by Turkey’s refusal to allow refugees across its borders with Syria.

Although the offensive has stopped, the situation remains highly unstable and unpredictable. We call upon Russia and Turkey to respect international humanitarian law and urge Turkey to open its borders to refugees in order to avert further loss of life.

We also call on the UN Security Council to convene a special session to assess the deteriorating situation and to assist wherever possible.

We are also concerned by reports that international aid organisations have been unable to operate in the Idlib region and call on Russia to allow these organisations to deliver much needed aid. We also urge Turkey to restrain Islamist groups responsible for attacks on aid organisations.

Additionally, CSW is concerned by the prevalence of sectarian politics in Syria, which foster religious intolerance and have resulted in the deliberate targeting of Sunni Muslim communities.

We call on Syria to increase efforts to counter sectarian narratives and to conduct detailed investigations into all instances of violence against religious minorities.

Thank you