President of the Syrian Coalition Abdulrahman Mustafa sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit as well as the leaders of 30 Arab and Western countries calling for urgent measures to put an end the repeated use of chemical weapons and hold Bashar al-Assad accountable.
President Mustafa warned of the consequences of allowing the Assad regime to carry on with the mass forced displacement of residents of many areas across Syria.
“We call upon you to mandate a comprehensive review of the OPCW’s program of dismantling Assad’s chemical arsenal to address urgently all the possible loopholes which allowed Assad to keep part of its weaponry so far,” the letter said.
Mustafa called for the establishment of an international emergency response program for the displaced people from eastern Ghouta and to assist the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) in the provision of urgent relief aid. He pointed out that the displaced people have been left to their fate without any humanitarian or relief aid.
Moreover, Mustafa underscored that the war crimes taking place against Syrian civilians must no longer be condoned.
“Failure to do so would not only give Syrian civilians, yet again, the extremely frustrating message that their suffering will continue to be tolerated and Assad’s crimes will continue to go unpunished, but it would also undermine the whole UN-sponsored political process making the likelihood of reaching a political solution more remote than ever.”
Mustafa pointed out that the repeated use of chemical weapons violated international resolutions and reflected total defiance of these resolutions. “This now established history of use of chemical weapons makes it clear that Assad has been emboldened by the unfortunate international inaction and absence of accountability.”
“Only justice, freedom and a new free Syria, the one they have been demanding since 2011 will help them heal and regain faith in the international system and mechanisms.”
Mustafa urged everyone to spare no effort to end the suffering of the Syrian people; hold the criminals accountable; and help Syrians fulfill their demands for freedom, dignity and justice. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
