Statement by Ms. Isis Jaraud Darnault, Political Coordinator of France to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Syria

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The absence of any political solution is exacerbating the suffering of Syrians

May 30, 2023

I wish to thank Geir Pedersen, Ms Mudawi and Ms Aveline for their briefings.

I would like to emphasize two messages.

Rehabilitating Bashar Al-Assad without conditions will not bring about the lasting peace that Syrians aspire to.

Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and its allies are responsible for a war with unprecedented consequences: more than 500,000 deaths; more than 130,000 people missing; the displacement of 12 million Syrians; the use of chemical weapons by the regime against the population.

In addition to war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Syria, the United Nations has documented the systematic use of torture and sexual violence in the regime’s detention facilities. In addition to being at the head of a system of widespread corruption, the regime and the Iranian militias are now the world’s leading producers and exporters of captagon, making Syria the heart of a multi-billion-dollar global drug trade which is a source of instability for the entire region.

In this context, as our Minister of Foreign Affairs reminded us on May 23, the fight against impunity remains a priority for France. Those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity must be held accountable for their actions. European sanctions are precisely designed to restrict the room for maneuver of the perpetrators of these crimes, as well as the sources of funding for Syria’s repressive apparatus.

For France, there can be no lasting return to stability in Syria and the region without a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians and enables them to live in peace in their country. The parameters of the political process are known. This Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, which lays the foundations for a lasting peace to which Syrians aspire. This roadmap is being ignored by the regime, which refuses to make any commitment on the political track. In this context of deliberate obstruction, we reiterate our full support for the mediation led by Geir Pedersen, and we will continue to be demanding with regard to the political process: the regime must make concrete moves in order for a genuine political process to be initiated.

The absence of any political solution is exacerbating the suffering of Syrians.

The humanitarian situation in Syria is catastrophic above all because the regime has committed massive crimes against the civilian population for over twelve years. The regime used the earthquake as an opportunity to divert international attention from its abuses.

The earthquakes of February 6 have added further difficulties to an already deteriorating situation. It is essential to guarantee the delivery of aid by all available means. We are calling for the Bab el Hawa crossing to be renewed in July for a further twelve months. The earthquake has also shown that it is essential to have several cross-border access points, in order to deliver aid as efficiently as possible. The humanitarian operations in Syria remain complex because of the fragmentation of the country and the nature of the regime.

Humanitarian needs remain immense. Since the beginning of the conflict, the EU and its member states have been the main donors of international aid to people affected by the conflict in Syria. A seventh Brussels conference on “Aid for the future of Syria and the countries of the region” will be held on June 21, to mobilize the international community once again and pursue our commitment, particularly with regard to the reception of refugees. Their future lies in Syria. Unfortunately, the regime’s active policy of demographic engineering and the many political, economic and security obstacles that continue to stand in the way make a dignified, safe and voluntary return to Syria impossible at present.

Thank you.

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