Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia Saša Jurečko at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, Syria

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, Director of Coordination at OCHA Ramesh Rajasingham, and Ms Helen Hayford for their briefings.

We are gravely concerned about the recent developments, including between Israel and Iran, and the escalatory spiral of violence in the Middle East that is again causing numerous civilian casualties. This must stop before it pulls the whole region even further into the conflict.

We echo the Secretary-General’s call to defuse, de-escalate and to show maximum restraint.

For Syria, the current regional security situation only underscores the immediate urgency of a viable political solution in line with Security Council resolution 2254.

We urge all actors to act in good faith, to substantively engage and to collaborate with the Special Envoy towards relaunching the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process. Agreeing on the venue to reconvene the Constitutional Committee and advancing on the Step-for-Step plans would be a good starting point.

Special Envoy Pedersen enjoys our full support in leading this process, in coordination with countries in the region interested in working towards a political solution to the Syrian conflict. We also hope that the next meetings of the Arab Contact Group and the Summit of the League of Arab States next month will bring new impetus towards this end.

Given the continued conduct of hostilities, insecurity and instability, we underline that conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrian refugees have not yet been met. We commend Syria’s neighboring countries for hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees for over a decade.

The underlying causes of the refugee and displacement crisis must be addressed in line with Security Council resolution 2254 and we urge Syria to do its part. At the same time, we reiterate our dismay about the findings of the OHCHR report that many of returnees to Syria are subjected to gross human rights violations and abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, ill-treatment, disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence. This is unacceptable and must stop. The human rights of returnees must be fully respected and perpetrators must be held accountable.

Despite regional concerns, we must not forget the plight of Syrian people. Today, nearly 17 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Over the last thirteen years, too many Syrians have been displaced from their homes, missed education, struggled with malnutrition and died from preventable diseases.

Instead of seeing hopeful signs of progress, we learn that the number of people in need in Syria has never been higher and is likely to further increase. Urgent response is needed when it comes to access to food, safe water, health, nutritional services and schools. However, the long-lasting and persistent conditions of instability and insecurity also call for a viable strategy of early recovery to strengthen resilience of vulnerable communities.

OCHA and other humanitarian actors have repeatedly called for adequate funding to respond to the needs of the country. In this regard, the European Union will host the Eight Brussels Conference on the Future of Syria and the Region on May 27. The aim of the Conference is to draw international attention to the need for a political solution to the conflict, and to generate pledges of humanitarian support for Syria and in support of Syrian refugees in their host countries in the region. 

We would like to use this opportunity to stress again also the role of humanitarian workers who must be able to work in safety and security. We recall that all parties must allow and facilitate unimpeded and safe passage of humanitarian aid to and through areas under their control. We stress that humanitarian operations must be more predictable and all aid modalities – including cross-border aid and cross-line aid – remain necessary to meet the vast humanitarian needs.

Finally, we expresses our deepest concern at the persistence of serious violations of international law. All parties must respect international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law.

The people of Syria and the region have suffered enough. It is high time to put their aspirations, interests and dreams first – and this is why it is crucial for this Council to send a clear message that progress on the political front is essential in moving towards a much-needed nationwide ceasefire for the people of Syria and the wider region.

I thank you.

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