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Middle East (Syria), Political and Humanitarian Briefing - Security Council Open VTC
‘Western Politicians’ to Blame for Bloodbath, Pain, Says Permanent Representative, as Humanitarian Chief Outlines Dire Situation
A political solution to the conflict in Syria requires a nationwide ceasefire and progress on drafting a new constitution, the senior United Nations mediator told the Security Council during a 16 December video conference meeting, as the 15-member organ also heard reports of the dire humanitarian situation in that country.
“As we look back on 2020, we have two elements to build on — a relative calm with no shift in front lines since March 2020, and a Constitutional Committee,” said Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. “As we look to 2021, we need a deeper and broader process: a nationwide ceasefire, substantive constitutional drafting, and a wider effort to address the full range of issues, with actions to build confidence and movement, step for step.”
Emphasizing that only a political solution can end the suffering, prevent renewed conflict and instability, and protect civilians and the wider region from further grave danger, he called for a new form of international cooperation on Syria, with key players participating and key issues on the table.
He reported that the in-person fourth session of the Constitutional Committee — established one year ago under United Nations auspices with the goal of drafting a new constitution — convened in Geneva from 30 November to 4 December. During the session, Committee members continued their dialogue on “national foundations and principles”.
The Government delegation presented eight “national foundations and principles” about combating terrorism and condemning terrorist ideologies and support for terrorists, he reported, adding that they also address unilateral coercive measures and the occupation of Syrian territory. They also relate to rejection of separatism and separatist projects, support for the Syrian Arab Army, promoting national identity, protecting cultural diversity, encouraging and guaranteeing the return of refugees and addressing humanitarian issues. They are not explicitly linked to a future constitutional text, he pointed out.
He said the delegation nominated by the Syrian Negotiations Commission presented 23 points on a range of principles, including the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, international relations and commitment to international law, national identity, cultural diversity, democracy, political pluralism, rule of law, separation of powers, corruption, terrorism, citizenship, refugee returns, rights and freedoms and social and economic principles. Those points were framed as grounded in the 12 living intra-Syrian essential principles and the Committee’s mandate and were presented as points for development to form part of the basic principles of a new constitution, he added.
Some civil society members of the Middle Third presented points on conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees, he continued, also citing such related issues as the restitution of housing, land and property, restorative justice and relevant independent and impartial constitutional mechanisms. Other members made interventions on a range of themes, such as the need to address terrorism, sanctions, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The impact of conflict on women, and the importance of their role in political life, and of ensuring equality between men and women, was raised on many occasions during the session, by members of all three delegations, he said. Despite many stark differences among positions and narratives, and a few tense moments, members listened to each other with attentiveness and even respect, he added, noting that it is possible to see potential common ground that can be explored.
He said that the fifth session will convene in Geneva between 25 and 29 January 2021, COVID-19 conditions permitting, and focus on basic principles of the constitution. He added that he will be engaging both Co-Chairs before the next session on how to ensure that the Constitutional Committee moves from “preparing” a constitutional reform to “drafting” one.
Turning to matters beyond the Constitution, he said violent conflict and terrorism are still a reality for Syrians. Thanks to existing arrangements, however — including those involving the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United States — a fragile calm continues amid ongoing efforts to address listed terrorist groups, including Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. But they still fall well short of the nationwide ceasefire envisioned in resolution 2254 (2015), he noted.
Ultimately, he concluded, following the adoption of a new constitution and the creation of a safe, calm and neutral environment, that resolution calls for free and fair elections, administered under United Nations supervision, to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and with the participation of all eligible Syrians, including those in the diaspora.
Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Syria continues to rise, with 100 per cent bed occupancy rates being reported in Sweida, Homs and other governorates. Moreover, the number of school cases tripled in November. He also expressed worry about the pandemic’s secondary effects on access to education, citing reports of increased school dropout rates. Turning to the economic crisis, he noted that even subsidized prices of essentials have surged amid continuing reports of long queues at bakeries and petrol stations. The market price of a standard reference food basket is higher than at any point since price monitoring by the World Food Programme (WFP) began in 2013 and more than 80 per cent of displaced families now say their income does not cover their needs, he reported. Citing data on the impact on vulnerable populations, he said that in north-west Syria, 34 per cent of all children under five suffer stunting and up to 37 per cent of mothers are malnourished.
On the protection of civilians, he noted that hostilities have been continuing in northern Syria in recent weeks, putting civilians at risk. “We all know the immediate and devastating human cost of military escalations in Syria,” he said, echoing calls by the Secretary-Generals and the Special Envoy for a nationwide ceasefire. Moreover, infrastructure indispensable to the survival of civilians must also be protected, he emphasized, observing that the Alouk water station stopped pumping on 3 December because of a disruption in power supply. As a result, almost half a million people in Al Hassakeh must resort to potentially unsafe alternatives, he said. Calling for a solution to ensure an uninterrupted water supply from Alouk, he also reported continued water shortages in Al Bab city and surrounding areas, which affect 185,000 people. Electricity from Turkish providers increased pumping at local wells last month, but supply is still far short of needs, he reported.
Recalling that the Government instructed a humanitarian organization delivering World Food Programme (WFP) assistance in October to stop distributing the aid to 220,000 people in areas not under its controlled in Ar-Raqqa Governorate, he said distributions to all areas were able to resume earlier this month. In late November, local authorities suspended operations of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in Al Hol and Al Roj camps, which together accommodate some 65,000 people, he reported. That disrupted food distributions, waste management and some health services. Noting the vulnerability of humanitarian operations in the north-east to disruption, he added: “When aid is suspended, those most in need are the ones who suffer needlessly.” He went on to describe the poor conditions and tragic fires at Al Hol, saying tent fires usually increase in the winter as families try to keep warm by whatever means available. Warning that more incidents are expected, he emphasized: “An immediate concern is getting winter assistance to families as temperatures drop.” While distributions are under way with plans to reach more than 3 million people, current funding will only allow relief efforts to reach 2.3 million, he said.
In the ensuing discussion, delegations traded accusations over the Council’s failure to help end the prolonged conflict in Syria and over obstacles to humanitarian access. Some Council members called for holding separate political and humanitarian meetings, arguing that the combination of the two issues is politically motivated. Several speakers emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty.
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