Mister President,
I would like to thank the Deputy Special Envoy, Najat Rochdi, and the Director of Operations and Advocacy of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, Edem Wosornu, for their speeches.
I also take note of Ms Sawsan Abou Zainedin’s presentation. Switzerland supports the commitment of civil society representatives to the political process and to reconciliation between Syrians.
A commitment to peace at all levels is indeed necessary. Switzerland condemns the current escalation of violence and the fact that more and more civilians and civilian property are being affected by bombings and other attacks throughout Syria.
This spiral of violence must be brought to an end. Switzerland is committed to ensuring that all parties to the conflict respect their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. This includes in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities. Serious violations of international law in Syria must not go unpunished.
Switzerland joins in the Special Envoy's calls against the extension to Syria of the hostilities underway in the Middle East and neighbouring Lebanon, and for a lasting resolution of the conflict on the basis of Resolution 2254.
We note the recent statements by the Astana Guarantor States in favour of such a solution. An imminent resumption of the work of the Constitutional Committee, as well as the establishment of a nationwide ceasefire, would send crucial signals in this direction.
Finally, the right to know of relatives of persons missing as a result of armed conflict is a rule firmly anchored in the Geneva Conventions. It is also an essential element in achieving lasting peace in Syria.
The independent institution for missing persons based in Geneva, whose mandate is strictly humanitarian, must be able to begin its work rapidly, in collaboration with the organisations of relatives of detained and missing persons, and with all the actors concerned in Syria and at international level.
Mister President,
After thirteen years of conflict, the situation continues to deteriorate. Syrians are paying the price.
Unfortunately, as the months go by, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Food insecurity, access to healthcare: essential needs are constantly increasing. In the coming months, these needs will be exacerbated by the harsh winter. At the same time, the intensification of violence throughout the country is challenging the work of humanitarian actors on the ground.
In the face of these acute needs, all means of access to people in need - across the front lines, across the borders and inside Syria - must be exploited. We welcome the continuation of UN humanitarian operations via the Bab al-Salam and Al Ra'ee crossing points, which have been authorised for use for a further three months. We call on the Syrian government to extend these authorisations, including that for Bab al Hawa, without any time limit. This is to ensure the predictability needed for a full and effective humanitarian commitment, and it is an obligation under international humanitarian law.
Moreover, Israel's continuing military operations in Lebanon have already resulted in more than half a million people fleeing to Syria. Switzerland calls for everything possible to be done to protect them. These people and the host communities in which they find refuge are very vulnerable. To this end, Switzerland calls on the Syrian government and the main humanitarian actors to provide greater support and protection for displaced persons and host communities alike.
The Syrian population must benefit from unconditional and depoliticized humanitarian aid. In this respect, I am pleased to confirm that Switzerland is contributing more than one million dollars for Syria to the UN emergency inter-agency appeal, in addition to its regular commitment.
Mister President,
‘The world has let us Syrians down twice,’ said Ismail al-Nasser, a 35-year-old Syrian who fled Syria thirteen years ago and Lebanon in October. We have a duty not to let them down again.
Thank you.