Special Envoy, Briefing Security Council, Fears a Turn for the Worse in Syria Unless Fitful Political Process Urgently Gets Back on Track
An ever-deepening economic, humanitarian and security crisis in Syria is leading to widespread hopelessness and suffering, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the country informed the Council today, underscoring the urgent need for a political process to resume.
Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, called for concrete measures to address the concerns of Syrian civilians and for Syrian parties and international actors to entertain compromise to relaunch a Syrian-led and -owned political process in line with resolution 2254 (2015). “The alternative is not a grim but containable status quo,” he warned. “It is a future of deterioration across humanitarian, security and institutional fronts, with significant implications for all.”
The Syrian economy is in “free fall” after a dozen years of conflict, he said, while half the population is living amidst food insecurity. Outbreaks of violence have meanwhile forced tens of thousands from their homes over the past month. There are also fresh signs of popular frustration, as borne out by protests in As Suwaydā' governorate. “We cannot simply accept the status quo, because it will get worse and worse, it could well unravel — and this will lead to new challenges,” he said.
Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that the resumption of United Nations humanitarian shipments into north-west Syria through the Bab al-Hawa border were the first such deliveries since 10 July, when Security Council resolution 2672 (2023) lapsed. While other border crossings were used in the interim, Bab al-Hawa remains key, contributing to better functioning schools, health facilities and drinking water access. However, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria is less than 30 per cent funded, she said, adding: “Much more is still needed for millions of people throughout Syria to reclaim a safe and dignified life.”
Su’ad Jarbawi, Middle East and North Africa Regional Vice President, International Rescue Committee, urged the Council to authorize cross-border assistance for another 12 months. Its failure in July to reauthorize such assistance into north-west Syria left the organization’s partners inside Syria frustrated and anxious. “With the crisis showing little prospect of abating, we urge the world to not forget those in need — and continue to emphasize the responsibilities of this Council to protect Syrians wherever they are,” she said.
In the ensuing debate, Council members voiced concern over worsening humanitarian and economic conditions in Syria as well as the fragile security situation. Many speakers welcomed the resumption of aid shipments through Bab al-Hawa, while some stressed that such flows must not be impeded in the future.
Among them was the representative of Albania, Council President for September, who — speaking in his national capacity — reiterated that access authorizations must not be politicized. Observing that an “absurd veto” previously terminated the Council authorization for cross-border access into the north-west, he stressed the need for a Council decision to ensure the predictability and sustainability of aid.
Brazil’s delegate, speaking on behalf of his country and Switzerland as co-penholders of the Syrian humanitarian file, called on all actors involved to not limit the duration of the authorizations, given the increasing humanitarian needs. “Syria's worsening humanitarian crisis is deeply concerning,” he said, highlighting the United Nations' role in delivering aid remains vital.
The United States’ representative said that the Government of Syria has a history of manipulating humanitarian assistance while also denying the United Nations access to the Rukban camp for internally displaced persons, on the border with Jordan. She added that her country’s sanctions will stay in place until concrete progress is made towards a measurable solution.
The Russian Federation’s delegate, stating that Bab al-Hawa will remain open until 13 March 2024, blamed the insecurity in several regions of Syria on “the external intervention of Washington and its allies, intended to further destabilize the situation in Syria and create a border buffer strip”. He also accused the United States of appropriating crude oil, leaving Syria with oil sector losses estimated at $115.2 billion.
Syria’s representative, taking the floor near the end of the meeting, decried the United States’ “illegal and unjustified military presence on Syrian soil” and its support for separatist militias. The Council must ensure that it is held accountable for oil sector losses and obligated to pay compensation. He added that an economic blockade and unilateral coercive measures, imposed by the United States and the European Union on Syria, have resulted “in the impoverishment of the Syrian people … causing great and unprecedented economic and humanitarian suffering”. Syria continues to support the dialogue process and coordination with the Special Envoy, whose efforts will hopefully allow meetings of the Constitutional Committee to resume as soon as possible, he added.
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15425.doc.htm
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