Mr. President,
I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary-General Lowcock for their briefings.
This month, together with the President of the General Assembly, I visited Hatay, the border town with Syria. This is where the UN channels lifeline UN cross-border humanitarian operations to millions of people in need.
Once again, I witnessed first-hand the provision of aid items, loading and monitoring procedures, showing the whole journey in full transparency.
At four distinct levels, the UN has the full control of the entire operation: At the border, at warehouses in Syria, at distribution levels and after distribution.
During the visit, from the Turkish side of the border, we also observed the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in overcrowded IDP camps in Syria. Vulnerable people struggle to survive with aid coming from Bab al Hawa crossing point. Now, they are waiting to get vaccinated thanks to the cross-border mechanism. Some 50.000 vaccines were transferred into the region last week. It is estimated that by next year, 20% of the population in the northwest will receive vaccines through cross-border aid.
In Hatay, I also had the opportunity to meet and listen to the Syrian refugees. They say: there is nothing left there but suffering, persecution and starvation. Unilateral attempts by the regime under the pretext of discussing the return of refugees are part of Assad’s illusions. Syrian people ran away from death and they do not want to go back.
Mr. President,
The monitoring mechanism established by the UN is unique and indispensable. It is simply not possible to replace this model.
If the UN cross-border operations stop, we will lose one of the best scrutinized and robust mechanisms in the world.
If the mechanism stops, the only way out for the 2.7 million IDPs will be to escape Syria. Inevitably, this would result in new migration flows towards neighbouring countries and Europe.
There is no single argument that can justify the cessation of UN cross-border operations.
Syrian people want to see a united Council, which is able to make the right decision. It is the Council’s moral obligation to renew the UN cross-border mechanism with additional crossings for 12 months.
Again, some countries are promoting only cross-line access. While Assad is preventing aid to the regime-controlled areas, it is ironic to see these attempts aiming to divert the attention of the Council from its primary responsibility of extending the mandate of the cross-border mechanism.
Mr. President,
Türkiye continues to strongly support the settlement of the Syrian conflict through a political solution in line with Resolution 2254.
The Constitutional Committee opened a window of opportunity for a political solution. However, despite all the efforts and warnings, the Syrian regime continues its attempts to squander this opportunity. During the last rounds, regime blocked the work of the Committee, with unreasonable requests and suggestions aiming to undermine and disregard the opposition. The fact that the regime has been making proposals contradicting the rules of procedure shows its lack of serious engagement with the process.
If held, the next rounds should yield concrete results. Drafting on the substance of the constitution should commence without further delay. This is critical for the continuation of the process. We are encouraging the opposition.
If the regime is sincere about reaching a political solution, it is time to demonstrate that concretely. There is no other acceptable way forward for Syrian people and the international community to end this conflict other than through a political solution.
We support Special Envoy Pedersen’s ongoing efforts to advance the Constitutional Committee. Our Foreign Minister reiterated Türkiye’s support during the meeting that he had with Pedersen today.
Resolution 2254 calls for free and fair elections pursuant to the new constitution. Elections announced by the Syrian regime for May 26th do not meet any of the criteria outlined in that resolution.
These elections will deny participation of millions of Syrians inside and outside of the country. There is no doubt that these elections will be far from being free or fair. Therefore, it is not possible for the international community to deem these elections in any way legitimate. As pointed out by the UN, these elections are not a part of Resolution 2254.
Mr. President,
In order for efforts in the political process to yield results, it is also essential to preserve the ceasefire and calm on the ground.
Yet ceasefire violations and attacks targeting civilians continue in Idlib.
On March 21st, civilians including healthcare workers were killed in and around Atarib hospital. On the very same day, a parking lot full of humanitarian aid trucks near the Turkish border was targeted in a horrifying attack, resulting in destruction of humanitarian aid trucks. This is unacceptable. Regime and its backers must stop all attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
PKK/YPG continues to target Syrian civilians and Türkiye from Tel Rifat, Manbij and Ayn Isa. This terrorist organization carried out 400 attacks since October 2019, targeting civilians with car bombs. On March 18th, it launched rocket attacks from Tel Rifat targeting civilian areas in Kilis, Türkiye. On April 7th, the terrorist organization killed two Turkish soldiers returning from demining operations in Afrin. PKK/YPG shamelessly announces these terrorist attacks through its social media accounts.
Terrorist organization PKK/YPG uses DAESH members and their families in Syrian camps for blackmailing and extortion. These militants freed by PKK/YPG for financial or political reasons pose grave danger to the neighbors of Syria. Recently, we apprehended a DAESH member released by PKK/YPG from Al Hol camp while he was trying to enter Türkiye illegally.
Terrorist organization PKK/YPG is also responsible for cutting electricity towards the Alouk water station in Hassekeh and obstructing its proper functioning. As a result of PKK/YPG’s deliberate interruptions, only 3 out of 12 pumps linked with the water system can operate due to the very low level of electricity available.
These unlawful actions putting half a million innocent lives at risk are also impeding efforts to effectively combat the pandemic. They should be stopped.
Those who support PKK/YPG and treat this terrorist organization as a legitimate actor are openly violating international law and undermining unity and territorial integrity of Syria.
Mr. President,
The UN Human Rights Office verified that from February 24th to March 23rd, at least 16 civilians were killed and 70 civilians were injured as a result of shelling and airstrikes in northwest Syria.
It is imperative to hold accountable all the perpetrators of this decade of systematic violations against Syrian people.
We welcome the latest report of OPCW Investigation and Identification Team where it is established that on 4 February 2018, chlorine was used by the regime air force in an attack against civilians in Saraqib.
It has now been proven that the Assad regime is responsible for at least eight chemical weapons attacks.
We also welcome the decision adopted last week at the OPCW Conference of State Parties. This decision was indeed a timely and necessary step towards ending impunity in Syria. This is also a prerequisite for peace and security in the region and beyond. We urge the international community to stand behind Syrian people’s in their quest for justice and accountability.
As to the statement made by the Syrian regime representative, I will repeat, I do not consider him as my legitimate counterpart, his presence here is an affront to the millions of Syrians who suffered countless crimes at the hands of the regime and therefore I will not honor his delusional remarks with a response.
Thank you.