Syrian Coalition: Political Transition Should Take Precedence over Ending Violence

The delegation of the Syrian Coalition stresses in a paper presented at a meeting today with Brahimi that “the crimes committed by the Assad regime render useless any talk about stopping the violence and abuses. There is a real need to initiate political transition. Any discussion of the issue of violence must be accompanied by a discussion of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Assad regime.” The delegation stresses that the first step to stop the violence in Syria is the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers. The main task of this body is to provide a suitable environment to achieve the transitional process in Syria through the establishment of a mechanism to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations in Syria, start the process of transitional justice and addressing all grievances, including the release of detainees and the quest to uncover the fate of the missing.” The delegation of the Syrian Coalition discussed with Lakhdar Brahimi the agenda of the second round and the formation of a transitional governing body as was spelled out at the terms of Geneva I. The Syrian Coalition demands that the Assad regime stop the brutal barrel bomb attacks on Aleppo and Daraya. The delegation of the Syrian Coalition submitted a report documenting the crimes committed by the Assad regime over the past three years, especially the escalation of violence during the Geneva negotiations. The Coalition also submitted a number of documents which document the names of 1805 people killed by bombing of the Assad regime barrels since the start of the Geneva II Conference, including 800 in Aleppo, and documented reports of torture, murder and forced disappearance. The delegation of the Syrian Coalition presented a letter from the local council of the city of Daraya about the siege and the daily barrel bombs attacks, including demands for the delivery of food and medical convoys. The delegation of the Coalition also submitted a report on the abuses of the Assad regime to the agreement to lift the siege imposed on Barzeh and Moadamiyah, and a report from the Council of Homs Governorate on violations of the UN-brokered cease-fire in Old Homs. Furthermore, the delegation of the Coalition submitted a statement of basic principles for the agreement on political settlement at Geneva II, in response to questions put forward by the Joint Special Envoy at end of the first round of negotiations. (Source: Syrian Coalition)