Geneva information office - 07 March 2019
The State of Qatar has affirmed that serious violations of human rights and crimes committed against the Syrian people for nine years, both by the Syrian regime and its allies or by terrorist groups, are increasing and escalating in light of full impunity, both nationally and internationally.
This came in a statement by HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri during the 40th session of the Human Rights Council on the issue "Bridging the Gap between Human Rights Investigations and Reports and Criminal Accountability of Basic Crimes, an Example of United Nations Cooperation in the Context of the Syrian Arab Republic."
HE said that in view of the inability or unwillingness of the national judicial system in Syria to assume its legal responsibilities, prosecute and hold those responsible for these violations and heinous crimes, and the failure of the international community to refer the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the State of Qatar has supported all efforts aimed to promote accountability in Syria, pointing out that the Principality of Liechtenstein and the State of Qatar submitted a resolution to the UN General Assembly to establish an independent and impartial mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for crimes against humanity in Syria. Resolution 71/248 was adopted on December 21, 2016, with 105 countries voting in favour, HE added.
The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva noted that the success and progress made regarding the mechanism's work would pave the way and encourage many States and other stakeholders to exert further efforts, procedures and legal measures, including investigations by a number of States within the framework of the universal jurisdiction as a rule of law mechanism to ensure fair justice and to combat impunity for crimes and serious violations of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights.
Close cooperation between the international mechanism and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and cooperation with States, relevant actors and Syrian civil society organizations with a view to organizing the exchange of information and evidence would have a significant impact on ensuring accountability, justice and redress for Syrian victims, HE Ambassador Al Mansouri said, pointing out that this is a prerequisite for reaching a political solution in accordance with the Geneva Declaration 1 and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and for achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in Syria.
HE appreciated the position of all countries and parties that provided financial support to the international mechanism, calling for continued support to enable it to carry out its mandate and tasks in the best way.
HE underlined that an international conference on "national, regional and international mechanisms to combat impunity and ensure accountability under international law" will be held on April 14-15 in Doha in cooperation and coordination between Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the European Parliament. Many representatives of States, non-governmental organizations, experts and lawyers will participate in the conference, he added.
HE the Ambassador reiterated Qatar's firm position in supporting the legitimate demands of Syrian people and the international mechanism in order to facilitate and accelerate the advancement of fair and independent criminal proceedings in accordance with international law.