Thank you Chair!

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We would like to express our gratitude for the Commission’s latest report, as well as our full support to its mandate.

Mr. Chairperson,

More than thirteen years after the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, the situation on the ground remains dire. Violence indiscriminately affects civilians, including minors, while humanitarian funding decreases in a deteriorating socioeconomic context. Your report highlights a continuing pattern of widespread violations of human rights, including unlawful and arbitrary detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as sexual and gender-based violence. We underline our call for accountability and the end of all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as the duty of the Syrian regime to fully cooperate with all endeavours in this regard.

The Commission of Inquiry has a critical role to play to put an end to impunity in Syria. We continue to support all initiatives to gather evidence in view of future legal action against perpetrators. We further recall the EU’s unwavering support for the IIIM as well as the newly established IIMP, and welcome the fact that latter has begun its important work.

The EU continues to voice strong concern about reports of social and demographic engineering in all areas throughout Syria. We call upon the Syrian regime to help create the conditions necessary for the voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons and to protect those who returned from human rights violations and abuses,

We also recall our support for the UN Special Envoy for Syria, and our long-standing demand for constructive and meaningful engagement by the Syrian regime and its allies towards the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, to put an end to repression, release detainees, and find a credible, sustainable and inclusive solution to the conflict.

Mr. Chairperson,

You note the extraordinary resilience of the Syrian civil society. How can we support Syrian civil society organisations, and ensure that their voices are not stifled by violence and repression?

Thank you.