Vice-president of the Syrian Coalition Abdul Hakim Bashar called for the referral of perpetrators of the chemical weapons attack on the town of Khan Sheikoun to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The crime that took place in Khan Sheikoun on Tuesday should prompt the international community to change its way of dealing with the Assad regime,” Bashar told a press conference in Istanbul on Tuesday. He called on the US administration in particular to adopt a strict stance towards the regime, adding that the weak position of the previous administration has encouraged the regime to continue with its crimes.
Bashar called upon the United Nations to put Assad and his officials on the list of war criminals, stressing the need for the adoption of a UN Security Council to hold accountable those who ordered and executed the attack in Khan Sheikoun. He also called for the referral of the incident along with all previous similar incidents to the International Criminal Court, emphasizing that the failure to take such measures will encourage the Assad regime to commit more crimes.
Bashar presented to reporters photographs showing the aftermath of the attack in Khan Sheikhoun and the children who died as a result of the chemical attack.
“There is no difference between a terrorist who blows himself up and a terrorist who orders the bombing of civilians,” Bashar underscored.
“The crimes of the Assad regime more than outweigh those committed by the ISIS extremist group and all groups the international community designated as terrorist.”
When asked about the consequences the attack may have on the political process, Bashar said: “We are fully aware that the Assad regime does not want a political solution. This crime is not solely a Syrian affair as it has put the international community in front of a real challenge. A political solution must lead to Assad’s departure and his referral to the ICC.” (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
