Inimõiguste Nõukogu 35. sessioon
Intervention by ESTONIA
Item 4– Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian ArabRepublic
Genf, 14 juuni 2017
Mr. President,
Estonia aligns itself fully with the statement (to be)made by the EU. We would like to thank the Commission of Inquiry for their oralupdate.
Estonia is deeply concerned at thereported use of chemical weapons in Khan Sheikhoun on 4 April 2017 and thekilling of detainees in Syrian Military Intelligence Facilities, what constitutesto war crimes and crimes against humanity. Perpetrators of these crimes must beheld accountable.
Estonia urges all parties to theconflict to continue negotiations for a political solution to the Syrianconflict, under the auspices of the United Nations and take every feasiblemeasure to spare the civilian population from the effects of the armed conflict.We demand from all parties to guarantee unhindered, full, immediate and safeaccess of humanitarian aid to those in need; not to commit indiscriminate anddisproportionate attacks against the civilian population and civilianfacilities; comply fully with their obligations under internationalhumanitarian law and to respect international human rights law to end the humansuffering in the Syrian Arab Republic.
We call on parties involved in theconflict to cooperate fully with the international, impartial and independentmechanism established by the UN General Assembly resolution in December 2016 toassist the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for committedwar crimes in the Syrian Arab Republic. We also reiterate our support for referral of the situation to theInternational Criminal Court (ICC), in order to guarantee that all victimswould receive justice and reparations.
Last, we call on the Syrian authorities to cooperatefully with the Human Rights Council and the Commission of Inquiry by grantingthe Commission immediate, full and unfettered access throughout the Syrian ArabRepublic.
Thank you.