Special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is engaging with all parties with a stake in the country’s political future “on the path forward” towards a peaceful and Syria-led transition, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said today. Wednesday.
The Secretary-General emphasized that there are clear “signs of hope” for the future.
The world owes the Syrian people to listen, act and work tirelessly towards a future where such horrors can never happen again.
In his remarks, Mr. Pedersen focused on the extraordinary images and stories emerging from the newly liberated prisons of the old regime.
“Although there are many documents and testimonies, they only scratch the surface of the horror of the body system,” he said.
‘Decisive, compassionate action’
“These images are a profound testament to indescribable suffering and pain beyond understanding Detainees, their families and loved ones suffered.
Now is the time to “Act decisively and compassionately”, he continued, calling on the international community and all relevant parties to support the families of the missing and detained.
This includes medical care, psychological support, legal aid and safe haven.
Meanwhile, all evidence of crimes committed in detention centers in Syria must be secured “to assist families in their search for justice and accountability.”
“We must prioritize accounting for what is missingensure that families receive the clarity and recognition they so desperately need…Justice for victims and their families is not only a right but also necessary to heal and prevent further violations. ”
Integrated effort
Mr. Pedersen also called for prioritizing the humanitarian needs of those freed while “countless” Syrians are still arbitrarily detained within the country’s borders across the war-torn country by various groups. war of destruction.
“They must be released immediately,” he said, calling on all parties to cooperate with specialized United Nations agencies such as the Independent Institute for Missing Persons (IIMP), the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) and Independent International Commission of Inquiry into Syria (CoI), together with relevant international and national agencies.
“The world owes the Syrian people to listen, act and work tirelessly towards a future where such horrors can never happen again.,” he concluded.
Chemical weapons watchdog prepares mission to Syria
Supported by the UN Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) is preparing to send a team of experts to Syria “as soon as the security situation allows,” the arms watchdog said on Thursday.
That was one of the conclusions from the emergency meeting held at the request of OPCW Director General, Ambassador Fernando Arias.
In his opening remarks, he reminded the Council that Syria under the Assad regime had never disclosed its full weapons program even though they had been used repeatedly during the long civil war.
Director General Arias said: “In recent days, the Secretariat has closely monitored the situation in Syria.
Still fluctuating
“The political and security situation in the country is still very unstable…The ultimate goal is to achieve complete elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program and engage in an international accountability process of the former Syrian government and any other identified perpetrators..”
This process began 11 years ago when Syria first joined Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The OPCW Technical Secretariat, through the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT), has worked for many years to resolve the gaps, discrepancies and contradictions in Syria’s original declaration and this issue has been resolved. decided. regularly resolved at the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Arias said Syria now needs to “fully comply with and finally fulfill all of its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, abandoning what remains of its chemical weapons program.”
Following the Security Council’s decision to authorize inspections of Syria’s chemical weapons, an OPCW team prepared to leave for Syria on Monday 30 September 2013 (file photo).
WFP Scaling Aid
Meanwhile on the humanitarian front, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is expanding food assistance programs across Syria to reach estimated targets 2.8 million people are displaced and food insecure residents, the emergency food agency announced on Thursday.
The spillover from years of civil strife and months of fighting in neighboring Lebanon and Israel – which in turn stemmed from the Israel-Hamas war – meant the country was deeply unstable before when the regime was overthrown by the Hamas militia. reality Damascus government.
Country Director for Syria Kenn Crossley said: “In this critical time for Syria, WFP teams are on the ground to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable people receive urgent food assistance. level they need”.
The economy is in recession
“Right away, Trade supply routes were damaged, food prices rose and Syria’s currency lost value. With essential items such as rice, sugar and oil in short supply and bread prices skyrocketing, it is important that we increase our support efforts this winter.”
WFP urgently needs $250 million over the next six months to purchase and deliver food assistance to 2.8 million displaced and vulnerable people.
The agency has one of the largest national operations deployed across Syria, including seven offices. This presence has allowed WFP to rapidly scale up over the past two weeks, providing daily ready-to-eat rations, food baskets, and fresh and hot meals to nearly 70,000 displaced people in affected areas. suffer heavily.
Food distribution and hot meal services provided by WFP before the crisis have resumed for displaced people in Homs, Aleppo, Raqqa and Al-Hasakah, after days of unrest and unrest.
Nearly 14 years of war have left many Syrians in a vulnerable situation; About 12.9 million people will be food insecure by the beginning of 2024, including 3 million people with severe food insecurity.
Mr. Crossley emphasized: “Food aid is not just a lifeline to ensure nutritional needs are met in times of crisis.”It is a reassuring presence that lets the community know they are not alone in what can feel like a very vulnerable and isolated time. in their lives.”
