Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, has stressed that the devastation caused by the earthquake didn’t shake the conscience of some countries and their leaders who have always claimed humanity.
“These countries continued their policies based on politicization and double standards, and turned a blind eye to the cries for help of the victims under the rubble under the severe shortage in rescue and relief equipment caused by the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria which affirms that these measures are in fact nothing but a tool of collective punishment and killing and they are not less dangerous than the earthquake,” Mikdad said in a video speech to the High-Level 52th Session of Human Rights Council.
The Foreign Minister said “The establishment of the Human Rights Council represented an opportunity for a new start in the collective work through a cooperative work based on sovereign equality among states and strengthening their capacities in accordance with their national priorities. Hence, we stress that the Syrian Arab Republic continues its efforts to develop and strengthen the legislative and institutional frameworks related to the promotion and protection of human rights, and considers that a continuous national process based upon the national needs and priorities.”
He added that Syria always aspires to multilateral work in the field of human rights on the basis of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and respect for sovereignty and national peculiarities, and that Syria is willing to continue the collective work in the framework of the Council, in order to enhance its role as an international mechanism for promoting universal respect for human rights on the basis of the principles of impartiality and objectivity and away from politicization and selectivity.
Mikdad renewed Syria’s rejection to the practices of some countries in the Council that seek to impose politicized resolutions and mechanisms that constitute a model of blatant interference in the internal affairs of independent countries, especially developing countries, and a violation of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and an exploitation to human rights titles, noting that such approach would lead to losing the Council’s credibility, and adversely affect the environment of international work in the field of human rights.
The Foreign Minister elaborated that the draft resolution entitled “situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic” and its outputs is an example of hijacking international human rights mechanisms by tendentious political agendas, adding that the countries sponsoring this draft resolution insist on using it as mean to spread their allegations on the situation in Syria.
“Our national experience urges us to stress the importance of discussing the impacts of terrorism on human rights by the Council through a comprehensive approach based on guaranteeing the rights of the victims of terrorism,” Mikdad said.
He affirmed that the Syrian Arab Republic has taken all necessary measures to protect its citizens from violations committed by terrorist armed groups, and has restored security, stability and the rule of law to the areas liberated from these groups.
The Foreign Minister added that Syria has also strengthened means of support and protection to create an appropriate environment for the return of all Syrians internally displaced and refugees to their homes in a safe, dignified and voluntary manner.
Mikdad said “The catastrophe of the earthquake that struck Syria has deepened the harsh conditions the country has been going through for twelve years. It added grave challenges and doubled the suffering of the Syrians. The Syrian Government quickly launched an emergency response plan at the national level to address the repercussions of the disaster, and appealed to countries and international to support the affected areas.”
Mikdad expressed Syria’s thanks and appreciation to the countries and organizations that showed solidarity and extending a helping hand to the Syrians.
He stressed that the illegal blockade has caused enormous humanitarian suffering and has undermined the enjoyment of basic human rights, including the right of the Syrian people to life, decent living, health, education and development in all forms.
He added that some countries are promoting biased and politicized reports and they have sought to conceal the report of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impacts of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, following her visit to Syria last October, as she affirmed that these measures may mount to crimes against humanity.
“The item 7 of the Council’s agenda is an essential item that addresses a unique and ongoing case of racial settlement colonialism. Syria stresses its inalienable right to fully restore the occupied Syrian Arab Golan and rejects any measures taken by Israeli occupation to perpetuate its occupation including the relentless settlement activities which in they entirety constitute a violation of relevant United Nations resolutions, in particular Security Council resolution 497 for 1981,” Mikdad said.
He concluded “Syria condemns the gross and systematic violations of human rights that the Israeli occupation forces and settler gangs continue to commit in the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Palestinian territories, and it renews its unwavering support for the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state, and to guarantee of the right of Palestinian refugees to return in implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions. Syria support the liberation of the remaining occupied Lebanese territories.”
Manar Salameh/ Ruaa al-Jazaeri
