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Statement before the Humanitarian Task Force of the International Syria Support Group – 20 April 2023

Intervention

By

Dr. Seyed Mohammad Sadati Nejad

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

The Humanitarian Task Force

The International Syria Support Group

20 April 2023

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

  Madam Chair,

We welcome the recent political developments in the region and reiterate once again the importance to adopt a common strategy and framework for fighting terrorism, as one of the main reasons for continuation of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. We hope that recent developments will have positive consequences on the humanitarian situation, as well.

However, we regret that military aggression and occupation yet remain the main challenge for finding a sustainable durable solution in Syria. We strongly condemn recent Israeli illegal attacks against Syrian infrastructure and civilian targets, including airports which have an important role in providing international humanitarian aids to Syria, causing the death and injury of several people. These savage aggressions are a flagrant violation of human rights and international law. The international community, especially the UN Security Council, should take decisive measure to condemn and end these violations which have negative implication on the regional and international peace and security and humanitarian situation in Syria, and to explore the root causes and hold the Israeli regime accountable for all its actions against international standards.

We reject baseless allegations regarding the transfer of weapons under the guise of humanitarian aid. These unfounded accusations are only to justify the illegal military aggressions against Syria. We also reject targeted and controlled military operations to establish an artificial crisis to justify the continuation of occupation and illegal military presence in Syria.

Terrorism, occupation, UCMs and continuation of illegal military aggression against Syria, violate the national sovereignty of Syria and UN Charter and all international human rights and humanitarian law and international laws. We call upon all stakeholders to stick to the rule of law and democracy and to be accountable and responsive with the aim to end the sufferings of the Syrian people.

The Syrian government and people are yet facing serious challenges in overcoming the negative consequences of the devastating earthquake. Iran continues to provide its humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

The early recovery and reconstruction process of the affected regions are also important. We express our concern that the funding for Syria’s Humanitarian Response Plan has not duly secured, which prevents the achievement of humanitarian objectives in Syria.

United Nations should reassure provision of sufficient support for the affected people in order to deal with the negative consequences of the earthquake. There is a need to strengthen the work of international humanitarian organizations, away from political issues and with respect for sovereignty Syria.

We appreciate the significant facilitations provided by the Syrian government, in addition to the great efforts made to secure the receipt of humanitarian assistance coming from around the world, and to provide support and assistance to those affected by the earthquake throughout the Syrian Arab Republic.

We recall and appreciate also the decision of the Syrian government to allow transfer of humanitarian aids through more cross border points and the blanket approval for the cross line aids. It is important to assure that aids are distributed equally through cross line and cross border mechanisms without any discrimination and with respect to the sovereignty of Syria.

We express our concern that the terrorist organizations controlling Idlib, and the illegal entities associated with it, continue to prevent the delivery of aid across the lines to northwestern Syria.  We call upon all parties, in particular donors to break their silence and condemn this inhuman policy and use their influence to solve the problem.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its readiness to send humanitarian aid and establish a field hospital in areas outside the control of the Syrian government, in north west of Syria but it has been also faced with obstacles by terrorist groups.

 We request the humanitarian agencies to issue a report on the obstacles in sending cross line humanitarian assistances and the solutions to overcome the challenges.

We also call upon all sanctioning States to guarantee that there is no impediment for transfer of humanitarian aids to Syria. We repeat our call for complete lift of unilateral sanctions. We also repeat our request to the UN humanitarian agencies to report on the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on humanitarian operation in Syria.

We would like to highlight that the situation in Al Hol and Al Rokban Camps and the problem of water, electricity and health in Syria, should not be forgotten because of attentions on other humanitarian needs in Syria.

I thank you.