President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with the Netherlands’s representative to the United Nations Yoka Brandt, and discussed with her the latest developments in Syria on the sidelines of the 75th session UN General Assembly.
The meeting brought together Coordinator of the SOC’s Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Asteipho, member of the political committee, Dima Moussa, the SOC’s Representative to the United Nations, Maryam Jalabi, the SOC’s Representative to the United States, Qutaiba Idilbi, the SOC’s Representative to Germany Fadel al-Rifai, and journalist Ahmed al-Qassir.
Al-Hariri lauded the Dutch government’s initiative to punish war criminals and those responsible for torture in Syria, calling on other friendly states to follow suit and support this initiative and prevent impunity.
He called for using the Uniting for Peace principle to avoid the Russian veto and prevent Russia from blocking action at the UN Security Council. He also called on the Netherlands to support the SOC’s demands for handing over Syria’s seat in the United Nations to the SOC as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
Moreover, al-Hariri talked about the general situation in Syria, especially the conditions of detainees and refugees five years after the start of the Russian aggression on Syria. He said that Russia’s intervention increased the intransigence of the Assad regime and its insistence on pursuing a bloody military solution and its rejection of all efforts to reach a political solution.
Syrian journalist Ahmad Al-Qassir, who is based in Lebanon, gave an overview on the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, especially with regard to education. He also talked about the conditions of Syrian prisoners in Roumieh prison and the reports of violations and abuses affecting them. He urged action to save their lives following reports of outbreak of the coronavirus inside the prison.
For her part, the Dutch envoy reiterated her country’s support for a political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254, stressing that the Netherlands is committed to the provision of humanitarian support for the Syrian people, especially refugees. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
