The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria has condemned the flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law in Syria as it has called for holding accountable perpetrators for their crimes.
Commission Chair Paulo Pinheiro on Tuesday told the UN Human Rights Council that there must be no amnesties or pardon for those responsible for gross human rights violations, war crimes or crimes against humanity in any agreement that emerges.
Pinero warned that human rights violations in Syria continue to go unpunished, stressing that all those involved should be held accountable, namely regime forces, terrorist organizations, their partners and backers.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the report by the International Commission of Inquiry as it praised efforts to prepare a report to document serious violations of international human rights and International Humanitarian Law on Syrian territory by the Assad regime and its allied militias. It affirmed its full support for the work and efforts of the Commission.
Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, Saudi Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, delivered a statement on Tuesday before the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry in Syria.
The Saudi ambassador stressed that the Commission report stated that civilians in Syria were not only unintended victims of violence, but were often deliberately targeted by illegal means and methods of warfare.
Al-Wasel pointed out that the frequent attacks on infrastructure and vital facilities and the siege imposed by the Syrian regime have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and claimed the lives of many innocent civilians.
Al-Wasel warned that the Syrian crisis was heading towards an unprecedented dangerous path, despite the urgent calls by the international community and the recent international resolutions for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Assad regime and its allies were maintaining their attacks, in particular in the besieged eastern Ghouta enclave near Damascus, Al-Wasel warned. He called for the immediate implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2401 and the urgent delivery of relief and humanitarian assistance to those in need. (Source: Syrian’s Coalition Media Department)