Ladies and gentlemen,
Your Excellencies,
I would like to thank Ms. Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights for her participation in this important event and her interest in issues related to the achievement of security and stability and the promotion of the principles of justice in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations. I am pleased to participate again with Her Excellency Minister Orlya Frick - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture of the friendly nation of Liechtenstein, in this joint effort that stems from the collective responsibility to address crimes against humanity, war crimes and other more serious crimes whomever their perpetrators may be. It is important that we address the humanitarian and moral duty of justice for the victims, and we are keen to contribute to the conditions conducive to peace and sustainable political transition in Syria.
I would also like to express my appreciation to Judge Catherine Marchi-Uhel, Head of the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, and to the leadership team, for their efforts to activate the international mechanism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The entire international community is demanding a political solution in Syria in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254, and justice is an essential part of a sustainable solution. However, we are assured day after day that the national judicial system in Syria is unable or unwilling to prosecute any party that committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, nor is has sufficient action been taken by the Security Council to address this issue. Therefore we must reaffirm the need for a neutral and independent international mechanism that promotes efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis and to remove obstacles in the way of that sustainability and success of a political solution, political transition, and national consensus. This mechanism is a clear embodiment of the principles and foundations of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the will of the vast majority of the international community.
The developments we are currently witnessing in Syria, in the form of escalating violence against civilians and reports of possible chemical weapons attacks, require us to increase our efforts to ensure accountability for the terrible crimes and to ensure the implementation of the role of the international mechanism.
Ladies and gentlemen,
International attention continues to be interested in this important initiative. This interest is reflected in the participation of countries from around the world in supporting the financing of the mechanism, as we revealed at the meeting of the General Assembly last April to discuss the first report submitted by the International Mechanism.
The success of the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism depends on several factors, the most important being the political commitment of states and its reflection in reality. We urge member states to cooperate with the Mechanism, including providing information and evidence in their custody.
In this regard, we welcome the fact that the International Mechanism, in accordance with its mandate, has coordinated with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for the purpose of exchanging information and evidence. We stress the importance of cooperation and coordination between the International Mechanism and civil society organizations in order to document violations. We commend Ms. Marchi-Uhel communicating with Syrian NGOs, and we welcome the Mechanism signing a protocol of cooperation with 28 organizations last April in Lausanne, which was aimed at identifying the direction of participation and understanding between the Mechanism and those organizations, which will contribute to the common goal of ensuring justice, accountability, and justice for victims.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Your Excellencies,
There is no doubt that financing is essential for the Mechanism to implement its mandate and ensure its independence. Financing is particularly important at this stage as it relies on voluntary contributions and support from member states; pending the Mechanism being funded through the regular budget of the United Nations as envisaged in Resolution 71/248. We would like to thank all the countries that have provided material support to the International Mechanism, and we urge that voluntary pledges are fulfilled and the continuation of providing necessary support in the future. As for our part, the State of Qatar's contribution reached a million dollars has been received in full.
We look forward to initiating the action of the International Mechanism and reaching tangible results that contribute to justice, accountability and sustainable peace in Syria. We also look forward to hearing your views on the issues related to the operationalization of the mechanism.
Thank you,