President of the Syrian Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa said that Russia is still trying to deny the existence of a political problem in Syria and seeking to impose its will on the Syrian people by “the force of arms.”
Mustafa said that Russia’s recent flurry of international meetings and its often contradictory statements reflect indicated an intention towards the revitalization of the political process. He underscored that such process would be more effective if it involved the participation and presence of Syrians.
“The Syrian refugees’ rejection of Russia’s calls on them to return to the country reflected their justified fears of being persecuted again by the Assad regime forces and their allies,” Mustafa said. He cited the international reports about the cases of detention and systematic, rampant torture in the prisons of the Assad regime.
“The bringing about of a political transition in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council resolution 2254 is still the basis for any political process in Syria,” Mustafa added. He stressed the importance of the enforcement of article 14 of resolution 2254 underscoring the urgent need to create conditions conducive to the voluntary and safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their areas of origin.
Moreover, Mustafa stressed that “Russia’s continued use of the force of arms to impose its agenda will be doomed to fail. He also emphasized the need for the UNHCR to assume its responsibility towards the implementation of international resolutions on the issue of Syrian refugees. He also stressed that the need for the start of the return of refugees and displaced persons to their areas of origin under the auspices of the United Nations and to prevent any new wave of displacement through reaching an agreement on a full and comprehensive ceasefire.
“The daily revealing of the facts on the Assad regime’s war crimes and crimes against humanity will burden Russia with greater responsibility as it is the guarantor of the regime and its defender at the UN Security Council,” Mustafa said. He cited the Assad regime’s recent issuance of death notices for thousands of detainees who died under torture in its prisons. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
