UN Particular Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen known as for an instantaneous 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 harrowing conflicts of our time,” he mentioned in a statement 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 properties, and much too many persist of their seek for the lacking. The ache and sacrifices of the Syrian folks mustn’t ever be forgotten.”
Brutal battle
Within the initial months of the crisis, 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 pattern of violations as “widespread and systematic” in opposition to the civilian inhabitants, “which can quantity to crimes in opposition to humanity.”
Since 2011, Syria spiraled right into a brutal battle, with civilians subjected to medieval sieges, chemical weapon attacks and barrel bombs.
Through the years, tons of of 1000’s of civilians have been killed and greater than 12 million pressured to flee their properties, together with over six million who fled as refugees to neighbouring nations.
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 pressing humanitarian crisis.
“Greater than three months for the reason that fall of the Assad regime, Syria now stands at a pivotal second,” Mr. Pedersen mentioned.
“Syrians have skilled feelings of nice hopes in these instances – but in addition of deep fears,” he added, expressing deep concern over violence in opposition to civilians.
The Particular Envoy emphasised that constructing belief is important to a profitable transition, warning that “a local weather of mistrust and worry may endanger the complete course of.”
Time for daring strikes
Mr. Pedersen known as for inclusive governance, citing the Nationwide Dialogue as a basis and urging concrete follow-up actions. He additionally took notice of the caretaker authorities’ newly issued Constitutional Declaration, expressing hope that it will lay the groundwork for restoring the rule of regulation and making certain a steady transition.
“Now’s 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 mentioned.
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 Security Council resolution 2254,” Mr. Pedersen mentioned.
UN Secretary-Common António Guterres. (file)
Standing with the folks: UN chief
UN Secretary-General 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 may be renewed hope that Syrians can chart a special course and the possibility to rebuild, reconcile, and create a nation the place all can reside peacefully and in dignity,” he mentioned in a statement on Thursday.
“Now’s 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 reside 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 group.
“We stand with the Syrian folks in direction of the promise of a greater Syria – for all Syrians. Collectively, we should be certain 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 group is left behind,” Mr. Guterres mentioned.
Defend all civilians: Safety Council
Additionally on Friday, the UN Security Council known as for the implementation of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political course of, facilitated by the United Nations and primarily based on the important thing rules 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 professional aspirations of all Syrians, shield all of them and allow them to peacefully, independently and democratically decide their futures,” learn a statement 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 group, 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 main physique on worldwide peace and safety.
