Madam President,

The European Union welcomes the latest report by the Commission of Inquiry and reiterates its full support to the Commission.  

The report again sheds light on the continued violations committed across the country, in particular by the Syrian regime and its allies but also by non-state actors, including the Syrian National Army. The EU condemns the persistent, widespread, systematic and serious violations and abuses of human rights and all violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, in particular by the Syrian regime and its allies. We call on all parties to the conflict to depoliticise the delivery of humanitarian aid, abide by their international humanitarian law and human rights obligations and permanently cease indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling. We reiterate our demand for a 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 and to release detainees .  

We reiterate ourcall to have the situation in Syria referred to the International Criminal Court as well as our full support to the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) and the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team.

Among those most exposed to the ongoing violations are women, children, older persons, displaced persons and persons with disabilities. Conditions for a safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and displaced persons, including IDPs, are still not met in Syria, we share the Commission’s conclusions in this regard. We also reiterate our strong concern about reports of social and demographic engineering in all areas throughout Syria.

We also wish to recall our long-standing position on the need for safe, full unhindered and sustained humanitarian access and for a credible, sustainable and inclusive political solution based on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, as well as our support to the efforts of the Special Envoy.

I thank you.