UNSC briefing/consultations on Syria [Political/Humanitarian]

[24 August 2021; 1000 hrs]

Remarks by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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I join others in thanking Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen and Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths for their briefings. I also thank Mr. Khaled Erksoussi, Secretary General, Syrian Arab Red Crescent for his insights.

2. The Special Envoy’s efforts to end the stalemate concerning the work of the Constitutional Committee has not yet yielded positive results. The Small Body of the Constitutional Committee has not met since January 2021. The Constitutional Committee has an onerous task of preparing and drafting the constitutional reform for popular approval, which will contribute to the political settlement in Syria and the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015). We hope that the Special Envoy’s recent engagements, including his visit to Moscow, will help in convening the 6^th meeting of the Small Body of the Constitutional Committee soon. An agreement among the three parties on the terms of reference and core rules of procedure for the 6^th meeting would positively contribute to the process.

3. We believe that all major stakeholders need to engage in a constructive dialogue for the UN-led political track to move forward. The adoption of resolution 2585 last month proved that sincere efforts on behalf of all stakeholders can lead to positive outcomes.  We call on the regional and international interlocutors to extend their full support to the Special Envoy in his efforts to take the political track forward. We welcome the recent meetings involving the Astana guarantors and Special Envoy’s interactions in this regard.

4. We are concerned with the security situation in Syria, particularly in Daraa, the North-East and the North-West. As mentioned in the Secretary General’s report, military activity and hostilities have increased in recent months, seriously affecting the civilian population. The recent fighting in Daraa reflects the fragile nature of the situation. We believe that a nation-wide comprehensive ceasefire is paramount to the interest of the Syrian people.

5. We have been referring to the involvement of external actors in Syria and its impact on the growth of terrorism in both Syria and in the region. The designated terrorist groups such as ISIL and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have continued to gain in strength in Syria and their activities have been mentioned in Secretary General’s report. ISIL has continued to launch attacks in areas across Dayr al-Zawr, Hasakah and eastern rural Homs. ISIL has also targeted energy infrastructure in some instances. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham continues to have a dominating influence in Idlib. These are a cause for serious concern. It is imperative that all parties adhere to their international obligations to fight terrorism and terrorist organizations in Syria, as designated by the Security Council.

6.  India firmly believes that long-term security and stability in this region can only be achieved by preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We remain convinced that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict and reaffirm our commitment to advancing a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned UN-facilitated political process in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

7. The briefing by USG Martin Griffiths has once again highlighted the grim humanitarian situation in the country. The Syrian people have suffered relentless violence and terror for more than a decade now. The economic situation has deteriorated further in recent months. Syrian women, children and elderly persons have been impacted in disproportionate ways. The pandemic has only made the situation worse. There is an urgent need to increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization or any preconditions.

8. What we need immediately is an active engagement that is both consistent with Syrian independence and its territorial integrity, and that addresses the urgency of the humanitarian issues to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. There is also an urgent need for concrete steps to address the hurdles that are obstructing the functioning of both cross-border and cross-line operations, in particular in the Northwest of Syria. The adoption of resolution 2585 provides another opportunity to strengthen humanitarian assistance, especially cross-line delivery of aid. We hope this will get further strengthened in the coming months.

9. India has extended developmental assistance and human resource development support to Syria through grants and lines of credits for developmental projects, supply of medicine and food, artificial limb fitment camps and capacity building training programs. We intend to stay the course and India reiterates its steadfast commitment to continue its support to the people of Syria.

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Now, I resume my role as President of the Council.