Statement by Ambassador at the Security Council
briefing on Syria.
Thank you President.
And thank you Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary General
Griffiths, for your clear briefings and your commitment to Syria.
The key to ending this conflict is through the full
implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254. We welcome
your untiring efforts, Special Envoy Pederson, to facilitate a
sustainable resolution to the conflict and the clear steps you’ve
set out this morning. Reconvening the Constitutional Committee in
Geneva is the step we particularly need to see. And Russia has
stopped standing in the way of this. Political progress
desperately needed.
While the conflict drags on, we continue to receive reports of
torture and killings in detention centres across Syria, in
particular at Sednaya prison. UN Member States have been clear in
condemning these systematic violations of human rights, adopting
a resolution on human rights in Syria this month. We condemn
these violations, and again call for the release of detainees.
In this context, the humanitarian situation continues to
deteriorate. This is clearly not about sanctions, which are
strictly enforced against entities involved in repressing the
civilian population, and which include specific humanitarian
provisions and exemptions. So let’s be clear about the facts.
14.6 million Syrians are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. A
huge increase since three other border crossings were
unnecessarily closed in 2020.
The UN has repeatedly told us that the cross-border mechanism is
a lifeline for 4.1 million people. On average 20 trucks of food,
lifesaving medicines passing through Bab-al Hawa reach people in
need every day.
Nothing can replace the scope or scale of this cross border
humanitarian operation, and it must continue. The ‘fate’ of this
mandate is the ‘fate’ of 4.1 million people who rely on its
assistance. And those who are concerned with the humanitarian
situation will not delay or compromise their lifeline.
The current cholera outbreak highlights the importance of an
effective and predictable UN response, including in early
recovery. 30% of UK funding to Syria in 2022 will go to such
projects, most of which are focused on water and healthcare. We
also welcome progress on crossline efforts. But this is slowed by
the Syrian regime’s insistence on new approvals for each convoy,
and ongoing fighting. It is simply impossible to replicate
with crossline assistance, what is being delivered through the
cross-border operation.
President,
As winter approaches, this Council should do everything it can to
respond to the needs of the Syrian people.
I thank you.
