The Syrian Coalition’s Department of Foreign Affairs met with the Dutch envoy to Syria as they stressed the need for the activation of the UN mechanism for the prosecution of war criminals.
The meeting, which was attended by the President of the Syrian Coalition Abdurrahman Mustafa, discussed a number of other issues, most notably the need to establish an international mechanism to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes, particularly the repeated use of chemical weapons. The meeting also discussed the recently introduced Law No. 10 and the threats it poses to the property of Syrian civilians and refugees. Tabled for discussions were also the recently formed local councils in the ​​Afrin region.
Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs Abdul Ahad Steifo said that stabilization in Syria requires a comprehensive political transition, including the regime and state institutions.
“As time passes by, the international community can no longer overlook the facts that are indispensable for the success of the political process and finding a political solution in Syria. They are the same demands that the Syrian Coalition has repeatedly made since the time it was formed,” Steifo said.
Steifo pointed out that allowing war criminals in Syria to escape punishment and the United Nation’s failure to establish an effective mechanism to hold accountable violators of international resolutions have further aggravated the humanitarian situation in Syria. He underscored that impunity for war crimes would remain a major obstacle to the political process.
Steifo called on the Dutch envoy to work with the other friendly countries and member states of the UN Security Council to reinvigorate the political process and avoid the past mistakes to find a real political solution that is needed to put an end to the tragedy in Syria and meet the Syrian people’s aspirations for freedom, dignity and democracy.
Moreover, Steifo expressed hope for increased support for the forcibly displaced people and for international emergency response program to meet their needs as they are going through harsh conditions. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
