Syria: As the war approaches its 12th year, Guterres calls for “renewed vigour” for peace

• News by AUN News correspondent
• Saturday, March 11, 2023
• AUN News – ISSN: 2949-8090

Summary:

• A gloomy landmark on Saturday, March 11, “marks 12 years of gruelling conflict, systematic crimes, and enormous human misery in Syria,” the head of the UN observed.

• Last month’s earthquakes shook the nation and its neighbour, Türkiye, as the need for aid had never been greater.

• The Secretary-General urged the UN General Assembly to consider creating a new international body to shed light on the fate and whereabouts of those who are missing.

• Unseen wounds.

• There must be impunity if we want to find a way to achieve lasting peace.

According to a statement he released, “Now is the time for us to act in unison, to secure a nationwide ceasefire, advance the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and create the conditions necessary for the voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity, with our firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as to regional stability.

A gloomy landmark

On Saturday, March 11, “marks 12 years of gruelling conflict, systematic crimes, and enormous human misery in Syria,” the head of the UN observed.

Last month’s earthquakes shook the nation and its neighbour, Türkiye, as the need for aid had never been greater.

He noted that this most recent tragedy came amid deteriorating economic conditions, harming already devastated by war and displaced populations. The northwest has suffered the most damage, and more than four million people there already depended on aid for survival.

Ensuring access to aid

The Secretary-General stated, “We must assure continuous access utilising all modalities and sufficient resources to fulfil the needs of all those affected, as we mourn all those who lost their lives and expand humanitarian operations across Syria.

According to him, this support also includes early recovery help, which fosters resilience while attending to urgent needs for life-saving measures.

He also stressed a 12-month promise of cross-border aid access from Turkey to the northwest.

The way to peace

He emphasised that to solve the core issues behind the Syrian war, the support given in the wake of these earthquakes needed to be redirected into renewed political activity.

The UN chief stated that he is still convinced that the Syrian parties taking reciprocal and verifiable actions and other significant international stakeholders may open a path to enduring peace.

The elimination of arbitrary detention

He went on to say that the issue impacts millions of victims, survivors, and families on all sides and that a more significant collective effort is required to end the enforced disappearance of tens of thousands of people in Syria and the arbitrary detention of thousands more.

The Secretary-General urged the UN General Assembly to consider creating a new international body to shed light on the fate and whereabouts of those who are missing.

According to him, substantial and persistent violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been committed against Syrians.

“These crimes have resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, forced the displacement of half the people, and left behind severe visible and unseen wounds.

There must be impunity if we want to find a way to achieve lasting peace.