Statement at the Security Council Arria-formula meeting on accountability in Syria 29 November 2021

Statement

Delivered by Ambassador Marie-Louise Koch Wegter on the occasion of the

Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council on Accountability in the Syrian Arab Republic

29 November 2021

(Check against delivery)

Mr President,

Members of the Security Council,

Thank you to the organizing member states for convening this meeting and to the briefers for their important work and their insightful remarks.

Sadly, the subject of accountability in Syria remains as important as ever. Since the beginning of the conflict more than 10 years ago, we have witnessed countless atrocities and crimes committed against the Syrian people. These crimes involve the use of chemical weapons, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, targeted killings, torture and gender-based violence. These atrocities have been committed first and foremost by the Syrian regime.

Reporting and documenting these crimes are crucial first steps towards accountability. Fortunately, important work has already been done in this regard. Not least by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on Syria and the Commission of Inquiry. Denmark continues to strongly support these mechanisms.

However, we are still a long way from true accountability. The regime continues to act with impunity. Denmark is deeply concerned by the continued widespread and systematic violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law committed across Syria.

We applaud the efforts of member states to ensure accountability through national mechanisms. However, these efforts are not by themselves sufficient and cannot stand alone. It is crucial that the international community can hold accountable any party to the conflict, who has been responsible for atrocities and crimes against the Syrian people.

Denmark, therefore, calls on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities when it comes to ensuring justice and international law. Denmark strongly supports referring the situation to the International Criminal Court. And we note with deep concern the failure of the Security Council to take decisive action on this issue.

Thank you.