Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for participating with us in this meeting. We, in the State of Qatar, are pleased to continue our cooperation with our partners in Liechtenstein on this matter of great importance, especially Her Excellency Mrs. Aurelia Frick, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein. I would also like to welcome the participation of Judge Catherine Marchi-Uhel, President of International Impartial, and Independent Mechanism Investigating Serious Crimes in Syria since March 2011. I wish her success in her mission and express our full support for her.
There are several aspects of the Syrian crisis that have attracted the attention of the international community. From the beginning, we in Qatar, like others, have called for a comprehensive political solution to the crisis. We have supported initiatives to stop violence, international efforts to prevent terrorism and extremism, and we expressed our concern and condemnation of the use of chemical weapons. The State of Qatar has spared no effort in providing assistance to address the staggering humanitarian needs of its Syrian brothers, and we have always stressed the importance of stopping serious violations of human rights. All these issues remain important issues that deserve attention.
There is no doubt that after more than six years since the beginning of this crisis that Syria's national judicial system is unable, or unwilling, to pursue any party that has committed any of the most brutal crimes in Syria. In addition to the failure of the international community to refer the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court regarding these crimes, which are war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In this regard, our efforts in partnership with the group accountability friends to address the General Assembly in order to establish the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism; to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most heinous crimes. Based on our keenness to achieve the principles of justice, we recognize that any political transition or solution without questioning those involved in these violation and crimes will not lead to an effective and sustainable outcome.
The adoption of General Assembly resolution 71/248 was undoubtedly an important step. It was the first step of its kind by the General Assembly to ensure justice for victims and perpetrators of a wide range of serious crimes, to address the grievances of the Syrian people and to put an end to the spiral of revenge and violence. We must recognize that the establishment of the mechanism is not the culmination of our efforts, but rather the beginning of a new phase in which the mechanism is in action to achieve the desired results. In this context, we have continued meetings and endeavors to ensure the mechanism is in action. During the mechanism's first year in action, the State of Qatar provided a one million dollar financial contribution to it. I thank all the countries that have provided financial support to the international mechanism, and we urge all states and stakeholders to provide all the necessary support to enable this important mechanism to fulfill its mandate in the best way possible.
We are pleased to see progress made in the elaboration and operation of the mechanism, including the Ms. Marshae-Ohel, becoming president. We also, commend the efforts of Mr. Antonio Gutierrez, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
We look forward to working hard to ensure the proper and effective operation of the new mechanism, as well as to begin coordination and cooperation between the United Nations' International Impartial and Independent Mechanism and the International Commission of Inquiry.
We are certain that the day will soon come when the civilized world will be held accountable for its silence or complacency since the beginning of this crisis to punish the perpetrators of these crimes.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is no doubt that you have seen the International Independent Commission that was issued this month. It confirmed the responsibility of the forces of the Syrian regime for their use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun, in April. The use of weapons of mass destruction against civilians in that town exemplifies the crimes that motivated the establishment of the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism. This crime has added to the series of crimes of the Syrian regime involving the use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun and other Syrian areas.
The mass atrocities, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other more serious crimes fall under the classification of international law and are not subject to statues of limitations. Therefore, the punishment of the perpetrators of these crimes is urgent, as a humanitarian necessity more than a legal necessity. This calls for doubling efforts to put the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism into action to deter these crimes.
Thank you for listening,