Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East

Thank you President.

I also wish to add my thanks to Special Envoy Pedersen and Director Wosornu for their briefings, and I welcome the representative of Syria to this meeting.

I would like to make the following three points.

One: We reiterate our urgent call for an immediate cessation of violence across Syria. We are deeply alarmed by—and strongly condemn—the widespread violence reported in Syria’s coastal region in March, in the south in May, and most recently, the violence in Sweida. Reports of high numbers of civilian casualties, summary executions and arbitrary killings, abductions of women, attacks on civilian infrastructure including healthcare facilities, and organized assaults on communities are deeply disturbing. We are encouraged that a ceasefire, though fragile, appears to hold. We call on all parties to fully adhere to it and we thank the mediators for their efforts.

Despite some initial signs of reconciliation among Syria’s diverse communities, the situation clearly remains highly fragile.  We wish to reiterate that the protection of civilians is not optional – it is legal and moral obligation. We call on all parties to renounce violence, engage in constructive dialogue, prioritize the safety and dignity of civilians without distinction, and facilitate safe, rapid and unrestricted humanitarian access for life-saving services.

We also condemn the recent Israeli attacks on Syrian territory as well as reports of IDF redeployments in the Golan. We call on all Syria’s neighbors to respect Syria’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. In addition, we call on Israel to respect the demilitarized zone and adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

Two: Accountability is essential, not only for victims and survivors, but also to deter revenge-driven violence and to break the silence of impunity. Recent and past incidents demand immediate, transparent investigations and robust follow-up actions, in line with international law and standards. In this regard, we encourage the Syrian authorities to maintain active cooperation with relevant UN bodies, as well as other states, in order to benefit from their expertise and resources.

The recent terrorist attacks on the Mar Elias Church underscores that terrorism continues to be serious threat in Syria. We expect the interim authorities to live up to their stated commitment to countering and preventing terrorism and extremism. There must be no space left for its resurgence in Syria. The interim authorities also bear the responsibility to take the necessary steps towards disarmament, demobilization and the reconstructing of national security forces in line with international norms and standards.

Three: A swift, peaceful, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process and transition are vital for transforming long-standing grievances into peaceful political participation.  In order to succeed, this process must be inclusive and transparent, with the full, safe, equal and meaningful participation of women. We encourage the transitional authorities to uphold these core principles, including when it comes to parliamentary elections, which have been announced for September. Every Syrian deserves a voice and a seat at the table in shaping their country’s future, and any electoral process must be safe for all Syrians throughout.

To conclude, Mr. President – as we have heard from the briefers, the Syrian people continue to face immense political, security, economic, and humanitarian challenges as they strive to build their lives and lay foundations for a new Syria.

Slovenia supports the efforts of the UN, particularly those of Special Envoy Pedersen, whose work remains instrumental in helping the Syrian authorities toward a more inclusive and representative future, in the spirit of principles of the Resolution 2254.

I thank you.

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