Press release
Syrian National Coalition – Syria
Department of Media and Communications
February 20, 2020
Russia is effectively playing a criminal role in Syria. The Assad regime has become merely a participant with the Iranian militias, which means that Russia is the major party to the conflict, rendering its vote in this conflict illegal as per Article 27 of the United Nations Charter which bars the states that are parties to a conflict from voting on it.
Russia must be barred from voting, a demand that the Coalition has made more than once. Russia cannot be the criminal and the judge at the same time. The international community must put an end to this farce.
The Russian stance, which on Wednesday blocked the efforts of some UN Security Council member states and prevented the issuance of a statement calling for a ceasefire in Idlib, represents a continuation of the policy of covering up the crimes of Russia, the regime and Iran in Syria.
The efforts of friendly states at the UN Security Council are highly appreciated, but the Syrian people expect more than sweet words from their friends while being subjected to horrific death at the hands of Russia and its followers. This divide between the friends of Syria and its enemies has almost emptied Syria of its indigenous population through killing and mass displacement.
The reprehensible Russian stance, which has been biased in favor of the murderous regime from day one, and which has been involved in criminality, bombing and killing, has significantly contributed to the aggravation of the situation in Syria and led to the death of hundreds of thousands of Syrians and the displacement of millions more. It has also opened the door to the most horrific massacres, crimes, and violations in the history of mankind.
The Russians would not have continued to deliberately target hospitals, medical centers, schools, and residential neighborhoods and to commit all types of war crimes and violations had the stances of friendly states been translated into actions that included deterrence of the criminals and holding perpetrators accountable.
There are precedents where the major actors in the international community took action to put an end to crimes and massacres through independent mechanisms bypassing the paralysis of the UN Security Council. Today it will not be possible to find a solution to stop the killing in Syria if Russia continues to play the role of criminal and the judge at the same time. It is imperative that the major actors in the international community create an international mechanism to put an end to the ongoing criminal, terrorist attack on Aleppo and Idlib; provide the necessary immediate support for the displaced people, and create the appropriate conditions for the success of a political solution based on UN resolution 2254.
It is time for everyone to assume their responsibilities.
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