Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Vladimir Safronkov at the Arria-formula briefing by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
Dear colleagues,
Dear Mr. Pinheiro,
We are happy to welcome you to New York. I would like to remind you that when your report was discussed in Geneva in September, the Russian representative noted a certain improvement in the coverage of the situation in Syria and a more balanced analysis of the military actions and their consequences by your Commission. My colleague also said in Geneva that your Commission started to analyze actions of all forces in Syria, rather than to blame just government troops and their allies. In Geneva, we welcomed the Commission's recommendation to suspend economic restrictions that directly affect human rights in Syria, including rights of children. We reiterate today, as we said in Geneva, that terrorism is the main threat to human rights in Syria and in the region. It is the fight against terrorism that the efforts of the international community must be focused on. It concerns the situation in Idlib as well.
Dear Mr. Pinheiro,
You know, we have a weird pattern. When another anti-terrorist operation begins in Syria, meetings of the Security Council are convened; Arria formula meetings and consultations with experts are held. At the same time, reports - both yours and others - are somehow strangely “instrumentalized” in order to convey national positions and blame the Syrian Government for everything.
In Geneva, we said that respect for human rights is the precondition for peace and development. We asked the Commission to focus on measures to restore the fundamental principles inherent in history of Syria, namely, interreligious and inter-ethnic harmony, creation of conditions for the normalization of the economic situation and return of internally displaced persons to their homes. Russia is doing much in this area. We always warn against the politicization of human rights, in this particular case the rights of children.
Russia understands the importance of the reintegration of children affected by conflict. Our priority is our citizens who, by twist of fate, have found themselves in difficult situations. Since 2018, Russia has been taking all measures to return Russian children from combat zones in Iraq and Syria and to further rehabilitate them. Just recently, the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights took 26 children out of the Al-Howl refugee camp. 9 more children will be taken to their homeland in the near future. This work will continue. But I would like to ask those who convened our today’s meeting with participation of the distinguished Mr. Pinheiro: is there anything you are doing to rehabilitate the children who’ve being held in Syrian camps? There are hundreds of children. We must work together.
Dear Mr. Pinheiro,
I commend, of course, that there have been very serious positive developments in your Commission's work, and we will read your report carefully. But even a cursory reading of the summary is enough to assume that the report lacks impartiality. Read the first paragraph of the summary - it contains very serious allegations. I would like to ask: what sources do you rely on? So, you’re making conclusions, but why are you concealing the sources of information? Serious accusations must be based on serious evidence. We expect you to give comprehensive answers to our questions.
Distinguished Mr. Pinheiro,
Political settlement in Syria is possible only when there is a consolidation of efforts at all levels. External workers must cooperate at national, regional and international levels. Still there are declarations that antagonize the international community and give ground for unilateral accusations.
Thank you for your attention.
