Sunday, 29 September 2013
News Release: Fashola’s Apology On Deportation Ill-Conceived, Politically Motivated
 |
| Governor Fashola Of Lagos State |
The Southeast Group
8 Rights Coalition, made up of the leaderships of International
Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, Anambra State Branch of the
Civil Liberties Organization, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria,
Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy, Human Rights Club of LRRDC,
Anambra State Branch, Humane Justice International, Society Watch (a membership
project of Intersociety) and Global Rights & Development International,
Owerri, South-east Nigeria, wishes to reject in its entirety the September
26, 2013, “apology” tendered by the Governor Babatunde Fashola of
Lagos State, South-West Nigeria over his abominable deportation of 72
Igbo-Lagosians from Lagos to the Upper Iweka area of Onitsha,
Anambra State, South-East Nigeria. The punishable act took place on July 24, 2013
at about 3: am or the hours of the blue law (a period prohibited by nature for
conduct of official government affairs or transaction of its official
business).
It is recalled that
seventy-two (72) Nigerians of Southeast Igbo extraction resident in various
parts of Lagos State were rounded up between December 2012 and January 2013 at
Lagos roads’ bus stops and its streets by the operatives of Kick
Against Indiscipline working for Governor Fashola’s administration and
detained illegally and solitarily without trial for over six months on the
orders of the Governor, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (a supposedly
law lord). They were held in an illegal detention premises located close to a
border between Lagos and Ogun States.
In the evening of July 23,
2013, they were told to prepare to be taken back home in their Lagos residences
and asked to put their names in a sheet of rough paper. Suddenly, four commuter
buses with two truckload of anti riot police personnel stormed their illegal
detention premises. The two trucks were marked “Rescue Operation” of
the NPF, donated by LASG (Lagos State Government). They were commanded
to enter the buses, after which, they found themselves under the Upper Iweka
Flyover Bridge in Onitsha at about 3: am. By day break, 54 of them with
undisclosed social identities had escaped, leaving behind 18, who looked
hungry, tired, medically and psychologically challenged.
In the Nigerian legal
system applicable to Lagos State, anti wandering, begging and public nuisance
offences are usually treated as statutory and strict liability offences
(usually no mens rea and witnesses are required during summary court
prosecution). In other words, such offences usually receive summary
court trials and lighter punishments like fines, rehabilitation and jail
sentences for days, weeks and months. They share common boundaries with
sanitary and traffic offences. The major safeguards for these categories of
offences are the Fundamental Human Rights provisions in the Chapter
Four of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended in 2011. This is
to curb the excesses and harshness of the government in the use and prosecution
of such offences. No Nigerian law permits any tier of government or State
governor to detain citizens without proper court trial and conviction for
months as Governor Fashola has magisterially and arbitrarily acted.
The illegal and
unconstitutional internal deportation was greeted by a tray-pan of denials,
falsehoods and blackmails by the Government of Lagos State, its ruling party-APC
and hired agents including newspaper editors and columnists as well as
sectional rights activists, online and audio-visual media. When the denials and
falsehoods refused to swallow the abominable action, the Government of Lagos
State came up with “14 re-unionized”, “not 72 deportees” theory and
blackmailed the Government and People of Anambra State as a party to
“re-unionization resettlement of 14 citizens in Onitsha”. The LASG went
deeper in its falsehood by manufacturing and releasing names, towns and LGAs
unknown to the Government of Anambra State, its traditional naming, LGA and
community systems with a view to linking them to its manufactured 14 fictitious
names. In the defense of the despicable action, the likes of Mr. Joe
Igbokwe, further described Igbo-Lagosians as “419ers”, “kidnappers”,
”fraudsters” and “armed robbers”. The likes of Dr. Chris Ngige also defended
the internal deportation by reportedly describing those deportees as “mad
people”, “criminals” and “beggars”.
Following from these in
addition to the November 16, 2013 crucial governorship poll in Anambra State as
well as threats the despicable action constitute to the State’s economic
strength, Governor Babatunde Fashola influenced the Silver Jubilee anniversary of
one “Aka Ikenga” Igbo socio-cultural group, which is clearly sympathetic
to APC and its Anambra Governorship candidate for the November 16, 2013
governorship poll, Dr. Chris Ngige. The anniversary took place on Thursday,
September 26, 2013, at the National Institute for International Affair,
Victoria, Island, Lagos State.
The “Aka
Ikenga”, which initially condemned the callous act later developed
cold feet, possibly for political reasons, and published Dr. Chris Ngige’s
version of the abominable act to the effect that “Lagos State Government
dropped the citizens (deportees) at a government building at the Niger
Bridgehead, Onitsha when the Government of Anambra State, which agreed with its
Lagos State counterpart to receive the citizens at the border between Anambra
and Delta States, was nowhere to be seen”. It is important to
state that neither did any government building exist at Upper Iweka nor did
Anambra State enter into an agreement with the Government of Lagos State to
deport any Nigerian citizens. The deportees were dumped at Onitsha Upper Iweka,
not Onitsha Niger Bridgehead.
It is our collective
observation that the “Aka Ikenga Silver Jubilee Anniversary”, was
deliberately put in place by the APC and its government in Lagos State to offer
an ill-conceived and politically motivated apology over the abominable,
criminal and unconstitutional deportation of innocent and harmless citizens of
Nigerians. The apology is ill-conceived because it lacks rudiments of true
apology. Any apology grounded on technicalities is not a genuine apology. True
apology frowns at the use of words like “if” and “misunderstood”. Genuine
apology must be total, remorseful, remedial and unreserved.
Also, Governor Fashola’s
apology so called, is politically motivated because it is borne of desperation
by his APC and its candidate to win by hook or crook the November 16, 2013
governorship poll in Anambra State of Nigeria. On the other hand, it is
possible that Governor Fashola and his other APC bigwigs has a strong feeling
that they have been declared “persona non grata”, by highly irritated mass
brigades in the Southeast zone, which, if true, will threaten their
participation in their party’s governorship campaign rallies fixed for their
governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship poll. In other words,
the sudden, infantile, politically motivated and ill-conceived apology is to
clear a way for their participation and safety during the rallies.
Another reason for the
so called apology may not be unconnected with the recent mass calls by some
leading good governance and rights advocacy groups in the Southeast zone for
Igbo-Nigerians including Igbo-Lagosians to decongest Lagos socioeconomic
dominance in Nigeria, particularly as it concerns transnational movement of
persons, goods and services using airports and seaports considered friendly,
cheaper, convenient and less risky to them in Nigeria. The torrential heeding
of such calls is steadily being observed from left, right and center especially
in the South-south, Southeast and North-central parts of Nigeria. As a result
of these, the newly commissioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu,
Southeast Nigeria, now hosts up to three major transport aircrafts in a week.
This has drastically reduced the age-long passengers and goods and services’
patronage enjoyed by the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State,
Southwest Nigeria.
For instance, while it
takes N17, 000 to clear a cargoed bag from the Murtala Mohammed International
Airport (MMA) in Lagos and transport it to the Southeast Nigeria,
it costs a total of N7, 000 to clear it from the Akanu Ibiam International
Airport in Enugu and transport it to Onitsha-the commercial hub of the
Southeast Nigeria. It takes up to six hours excluding excruciating Lagos
traffic jams to get to Lagos and extra hotel bills to incur before travelling
internationally through MMA, whereas in less than two hours
without hotel bills, an international traveler is on board an international
aircraft at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. We are also glad to
observe that many business merchants from the Southeast Nigeria with their
shipping companies are now diverting their goods and services to Port Harcourt
wharfs instead of Lagos wharfs.
We commend Igbo-Nigerian
business persons and international travelers for heeding these clarion calls by
our sister bodies. We urge other major airline operators in the country and
beyond her borders especially those flying Southeast Asia, Fareast, Gulf,
Middle East and Europe to make maximum use of this wonderful business
environment and relocate to the airport with potential milk and honey (Akanu
Ibiam International Airport). There is need to teach the likes of Governor
Babatunde Fashola and his political party the lesson of his life to serve as
deterrents to others of his likes.
We consider it as
further insult on the collective psyche of the Igbo-Nigerians including
Igbo-Lagosians the disclosure by Governor Fashola that “Igbo-Nigerians
donated the highest number of cows during his father’s recent funeral”. Apart
from the Governor engaging in reckless abuse of animal rights by admitting to
have accepted “high number of cows”, which must have turned the Alausa
Government House in Ikeja into “a cow slaughter house”; it is very insulting to
draw a conclusion to that effect that “highest number of cows” given and
received from his few Igbo contractor-friends means that “Igbo-Nigerians are
reckless cow givers and slaughters”. Igbo-Nigerians attach serious values to
animal lives, rights and management. The late legal icon and rights
sage, Chief Gani Fawehnmi, SAN, during his lifetime, turned down at several
intervals the donation of animals, whether domestic or wild, to him during
ceremonies.
While rejecting in its
entirety the infantile, ill-conceived and politically motivated apology under
reference, it is our collective insistence that a sincere apology and sorry
must have attributes of long term remedy, clarity, precision, sincerity,
genuineness and capability of the wrong or criminal policy not being repeated.
The only substance in Governor Fashola’s so called apology is not the apology
itself, but the fact that Governor Fashola, his party and cronies have revealed
the truth and exposed themselves as liars of unimaginable proportions.
On the other hand, truth
has prevailed over falsehood and we are totally vindicated! The so called
apology also left unanswered the question of imposition of “Babaloja” on
Igbo-Lagosians’ controlled Ladipo Market, the incessant burning of Igbo markets
at night and their reclaiming by government in the daytime, various hash
policies including excess taxes imposed on Igbo businesses, designed to cripple
Igbo-Lagosians’ businesses, the management of “internal census figures” that
gave Igbo-Lagosians 42%, which reportedly infuriated the Yorubas of Lagos
State, and reportedly is the center of the ongoing “internal deportation
policies”, etc.
Like our sister bodies
have demanded, the Southeast Governors’ Forum and other key public office
holders from the zone must not rest on their oars as it concerns revolutionary
development of the zone. The zone needs direly a second Niger Bridge,
reconstructed Onitsha-Enugu and Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Ways, a
standard sea port, a revamped modern railway system, a connecting bridge between
Ndoni in Rivers State and Ogwu-ikpere in Ogbaru, Anambra State and adornment of
the Akanu Ibiam International Airport with all modern international airport
equipment and standards.
Signed On Behalf Of South-East G8 Rights Coalition:
1.Emeka Umeagbalasi-08033601078, 08180103912
For: International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of
Law
2. Comrade Aloysius Attah-08035090548
For: Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State Branch
3. Comrade Samuel Njoku-08039444628
For: Human Rights Club of LRRDC, Anambra State Branch
4. Comrade Justus Uche Ijeoma-08037114869
For: Society Watch (a membership project of Intersociety, Nigeria)
5. Dr. Rufus Duru-08037513519
For: Global Rights & Development International
6. Comrade Emma Onwubiko-08033327672
For: Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria
7. Comrade Peter Onyegiri-07036892777
For: Center for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy
8. Comrade Ifeanyi Onuchukwu-08096940019
For: Humane Justice International
Saturday, 28 September 2013
News Release: UN Security Council On Syria's Chemical Weapons
Deeply outraged by the
use of chemical weapons on 21 August in a Damascus suburb, as concluded by
a United Nations investigation team, the Security Council this evening endorsed
the expeditious destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, with inspections
to begin by 1 October, and agreed that in the event of non-compliance, it
would impose “Chapter VII” measures.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2118 (2013) in a fast-breaking evening meeting, the Council determined that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constituted a threat to international peace and security, and called for the full implementation of the 27 September decision of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which contains special procedures for the expeditious and verifiable destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.
Specifically, the
Council prohibited Syria from using, developing, producing, otherwise
acquiring, stockpiling or retaining chemical weapons, or transferring them to
other States or non-State actors, and underscored also that no party in Syria
should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer such weapons.
Also by the text, Syria
should comply with all aspects of the OPCW decision, notably by accepting
personnel designated by OPCW or the United Nations and providing them with
immediate and unfettered access to — and the right to inspect — any and all
chemical weapons sites.
Further, the Council
decided to regularly review Syria’s implementation of the OPCW Executive
Council decision and the present resolution, requesting the OPCW
Director-General, through the Secretary-General, to report to it within
30 days and every month thereafter. Fully endorsing the Geneva
Communiqué of 30 June 2012, the Council called for the convening, as
soon as possible, of an international conference on Syria to implement that
Communiqué.
United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the resolution’s passage as “the first
hopeful news on Syria in a long time”, but said, even amid that important
step, “we must never forget that the catalogue of horrors in Syria continues
with bombs and tanks, grenades and guns”. He said the plan to eliminate
Syria’s chemical weapons was “not a license to kill with conventional weapons”.
Stressing that the
perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria must be brought to justice, he
said a United Nations mission had returned to complete its fact-finding
investigation. The team would conclude its work next week and he would
promptly transmit a report to all Member States.
He pressed the Council
to capitalize on its new-found unity by focusing on two other equally crucial
dimensions of the conflict: the dire humanitarian situation and the
political crisis. For their parts, the Syrian sides must engage
constructively towards the creation of a democratic State, while regional
actors must challenge those who sought to undermine that process.
In the debate that
followed, Council members praised the text for placing binding obligations on
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, requiring it to get rid of its
“tools of terror”. United States Secretary of State John Kerry said that
that regime bore the burden of meeting the terms of the resolution.
At the same time, Sergey
Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, emphasized that
the responsibility for implementing the resolution did not lay with Syria
alone. The text had not been passed under the Charter's Chapter VII,
nor did it allow for coercive measures. It contained requirements for all
countries, especially Syria's neighbours, which must report on moves by
non-State actors to secure chemical weapons.
Also speaking in today’s
debate were the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France,
Azerbaijan, Republic of Korea, China, Guatemala, Morocco and Argentina, as well
as the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs of
Pakistan.
The representatives of
Rwanda, Togo and Australia also spoke.
The meeting began at
8:15 p.m. and ended at 9:45 p.m.
Background
The Security Council met
this evening to consider the situation in Syria.
Statements
Describing the
resolution just adopted as "historic" and "the first hopeful
news on Syria in a long time", United Nations Secretary-General BAN
KI-MOON said the international community had given a firm and united response.
Stating that the
perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria must be brought to justice, he
said a United Nations mission had returned to complete its investigation.
The team would conclude its fact-finding activities next week and the
Secretary-General would promptly transmit a report to all Member States.
Welcoming Syria's
accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention, he said the Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) established ambitious but realistic
deadlines for the verified elimination of the programme.
The resolution would
ensure that the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme happened
as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency, he said, stressing that
the cooperation of the Syrian Government and opposition forces would be
crucial.
Declaring that a red light
for one form of weapons did not mean a green light for others, he said that all
violence must end and all guns must fall silent. “We must capitalize on
the new-found unity of the Council by focusing on the two other equally crucial
dimension of the conflict: the dire humanitarian situation and the
political crisis,” he urged.
The text, he noted, also
called for an international conference on Syria, which both the Government and
the opposition had said they would attend. He said the conference was aimed
for mid-November.
No one was naïve to the
challenges of ending the conflict peacefully, he said. The Syrian sides
must engage constructively towards the creation of a democratic State, while
the regional actors must challenge those who actively sought to undermine the
process and who did not respect Syria’s sovereignty.
As for the Security
Council members, he said that, individually and collectively, they had a key
role in ushering the Geneva process forward towards a lasting peaceful
solution.
SERGEY LAVROV, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said the resolution
was in keeping with the Russian-American agreement. The lead role in the
coming work lay with OPCW, which, along with the United Nations experts, would
act impartially in Syria in full respect of its sovereignty. He expected
the Secretary-General and the OPCW Director-General to closely cooperate in
that work. He also expected that the Secretary-General's recommendations
would cover the safety of international personnel.
Noting that Damascus had
shown its readiness for cooperation by joining the Chemical Weapons Convention,
he said that was a precondition for success. It also had provided a list
of its chemical weapons arsenal. Damascus would continue to cooperate with
international inspectors. The responsibility for implementing the
resolution did not lay only with Syria. He emphasized that the text had
not been passed under the Charter's Chapter VII, nor did it allow coercive
measures. Violations of its requirements and use of chemical weapons by
anyone must be carefully investigated. The United Nations would stand
ready to take action under the Charter's Chapter VII. Violations
must be 100 per cent proven.
The resolution contained
requirements for all countries, he said, especially Syria's neighbours, which
must report on moves by non-State actors to secure chemical weapons. All
such situations should be considered immediately by the Security Council, as that
would help create a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery
means. The resolution set up a framework for the political settlement of
the conflict by backing the convening of an international conference, which he
believed could take place as early as mid-November. He also expected the
Syrian opposition to state its readiness. The Russian Federation would
participate in implementing the chemical disarmament programme and in preparing
for the Geneva II conference.
JOHN KERRY, Secretary of
State of the United States, said today's strong,
"precedent-setting" resolution had shown that diplomacy could be so
powerful, it could peacefully defuse the worst weapons of war. The text
stated that chemical weapons use threatened international peace and security —
at any time, under any circumstances. With a single voice, for the first
time, binding obligations had been placed on the Assad regime, requiring that
it get rid of its tools of terror. The text reflected what the Presidents
of the Russian Federation and the United States had set out to do, and more; it
sought to eliminate a country's chemical weapons ability.
He went on to say that
those weapons would be destroyed by mid-2014. The resolution also made
clear that those responsible for their use must be held accountable. The
Council had endorsed the Geneva Communiqué, and it had adopted a legally
binding resolution that spelled out in detail what Syria must do to comply with
it. It could not accept or reject the inspectors, but must give
unfettered access at all sites. “We are here because actions have
consequences,” he said.
Progress would be
reported to the Council, he said, stressing that non-compliance would lead to
the imposition of Chapter VII actions. The Council had shown that
“when we put aside politics for the common good, we are still capable of great
things”. The Assad regime carried the burden of meeting the terms of the
resolution; the world carried the burden of doing what it must to end mass
killing by other means — working with the same cooperation that had brought
States here today. Countries also must provide humanitarian aid.
Only then would the world have fulfilled its duty.
WILLIAM HAGUE, Secretary
of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom,
said today's "groundbreaking” text, the first on Syria in 17 months,
recognized that any use of chemical weapons posed a threat to international
peace and security, thereby establishing an important international norm.
It upheld the principle of accountability for the proven use of those weapons,
enforced legally binding obligations on Syria to comply with OPCW, and it
endorsed the 2012 Geneva Communiqué. If properly implemented, the
resolution would prevent a repeat of atrocities carried out on 21 August.
He said the United Kingdom
was making a $3 million commitment to the OPCW Syria trust fund and urged
all States in a position to do so to contribute likewise. It was vital
that the Council build on today's consensus to progress towards sustainable
resolution of the Syrian crisis, first, by achieving a negotiated political
transition, with a transitional body formed on the basis of mutual
consent. He urged increased efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis,
for which the United Kingdom, thus far, had provided $800 million.
The Council must apply its weight to secure unfettered access to those in need
in Syria. With that, he urged redoubled determination to work through the
Geneva II process and secure a better future for Syria.
JEAN ASSELBORN, Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, said the
resolution contained robust and legally binding obligations, with which Syria
must fully comply. One of the most significant chemical weapons
programmes had been addressed through peaceful means. Recounting the horrific
images emerging from that country, he said it was important that those never be
reproduced. “For the first time, the Security Council has determined
chemical weapons use is a threat to international peace.”
Urging the Syrian
Government to respect the aspirations of all Syrians, he called upon all
parties to take advantage of the positive dynamics, adding that any delay
would lead to more death and more destruction. The world could not forget
the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and its neighbours. In that
connection, he urged Syria to grant free and unfettered access and lift
bureaucratic obstacles. “Time has come to refer the perpetrators to the
International Criminal Court,” he declared.
LAURENT FABIUS, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of France, said “tonight, in the midst of the
Syrian crisis, the Security Council can finally live up to its name”. The
use of chemical weapons was obvious; all clues pointed to the regime. No
one in good faith could deny that fact. The present resolution met France’s
three requirements: it determined that the use of chemical weapons
constituted a threat to international peace and security; clearly stated that
those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable; and decided that,
in the event of non-compliance by the Syrian regime, the Council would take
action under Chapter VII of the Charter. The resolution was only a
first step; now it must be implemented. The Syrian regime, which until
recently had denied possessing chemical weapons, could not be trusted.
The United Nations and OPCW should immediately deploy their joint mission; the
timetable set forth in the present text must be enforced.
He added that “the
cooperation of Syria must be unconditional, and fully transparent”. The
Council, which would be informed regularly, would be the judge of Syria’s
commitment, and would impose measures under Chapter VII, if
necessary. France would remain “watchful”. It wanted to capitalize
on the Council’s unity to advance the political process and felt it was necessary
to prepare the Geneva II conference within the framework of the Geneva
Communiqué. He had chaired a meeting on Thursday with the President of
the Syrian National Coalition, who confirmed a readiness to send a delegation
as soon as possible. The Syrian regime’s supporters must make a similar
commitment. He urged the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to move
quickly in that direction.
ELMAR MAHARRAM OGLU
MAMMADYAROV, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, welcomed the
resolution and expressed hope that it would help to end the crisis. He
said it was important that the Security Council stressed the need to hold
accountable the perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria. Welcoming
the American-Russian accord on Syria and the OPCW role, he said it was critical
to ensure compliance, adding that tonight’s resolution had made careful
provisions for that. All parties should cease the violence, he said, and
seek a political solution to the conflict.
YUN BYUNG-SE, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, said the resolution
showed the Council's unity on the Syrian crisis, fulfilling its overdue
responsibility to the Syrian people. Condemning the use of chemical
weapons in the strongest possible terms, he reiterated that all such weapons
should be eliminated — in Syria and everywhere. Today's text made it
clear that chemical weapons use anywhere was a threat to international peace
and security. Only its full implementation would determine the value of
the collective enterprise. Its binding nature showed the Council's
resolve to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria, and the international community
bore responsibility for promoting its implementation. The world could not
afford acts of impunity, and, as such, the Council must ensure that those
responsible for chemical weapons use were held accountable. He hoped an
international conference would be held as soon as possible.
WANG YI, Foreign
Minister of China, said that neither Syria nor the region could
afford another war. The Security Council and the international community
must make decisions that would pass the judgement of history. Stating his
opposition to military solutions, he welcomed the resolution's focus on the
search for the chemical weapons. China, itself, had been a victim of
chemical weapons during the Second World War, and the country opposed those
weapons in all forms. He called for a comprehensive and accurate
settlement of the issue of chemical weapons in Syria, and urged the
international community to also step up efforts to deal with the humanitarian
crisis there. The political solution and the destruction of chemical
weapons must go side by side, he said, adding that the parties in Syria must
redouble efforts in what would be a complex period ahead.
FERNANDO CARRERA,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, welcomed the rejection
of the use of chemical weapons in Syria by the Russian Federation and the
United States and the subsequent 14 September framework agreement.
Today’s Council decision was “highly significant”, as it helped renew efforts
to end the violence, address the humanitarian situation and meet the Syrian
people’s demands. Towards that end, Guatemala had persistently backed the
30 June 2012 Final Communiqué of the Action Group for Syria and the
need to hold an international conference to facilitate its
implementation. Adoption of the present text, which Guatemala had
co-sponsored, was of vital importance, considering that the last resolution on
Syria had been adopted in April 2012. He understood the sensitivity
of the issue and the urgency it demanded, and for that reason, had joined the
consensus, despite having preferred a greater role in its development.
He recognized the
importance of cooperation between the United Nations and OPCW, particularly in
terms of personnel access and safety, operational support, privileges and
immunities, and sufficient funding to carry out their duties. He trusted
that a date could be set soon for the Geneva II Conference, and added that
a transitional Syrian Government with full executive powers could be set up
under the mutual consent of all parties. Such a Government must be
inclusive. He expressed hope for a ceasefire in the short term.
SARTAJ AZIZ, Adviser to
the Prime Minister of Pakistan on National Security and
Foreign Affairs, said the resolution was a landmark text, which demonstrated
the Security Council’s leadership. Its unanimous adoption meant the
international community had taken ownership of the process of eliminating
Syria’s chemical weapons programme. He hoped the new-found unity in the
Council would be maintained, and added that the 15-member body would have
difficult waters to navigate. A political settlement was the only way
forward, including to mitigate the humanitarian crisis. The announcement
of the convening of Geneva II reflected the urgency of the problem, he
said, adding that the international community should proceed with a sense of
purpose. Although it was too late for more than 100,000 Syrians,
there was hope for millions of others.
SAAD-EDDINE EL OTHMANI,
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco, said
"at last" the Council had been able to agree on an important
resolution on the Syrian situation that reflected a genuine will to end the
conflict. He appreciated efforts made by the “P-5” towards a solution
that would find, destroy and ensure that chemical weapons were never used
again. The League of Arab States also had led initiatives on the Syrian
situation and the use of chemical weapons. Today’s historic text outlined
steps for dealing with chemical weapons, in line with the United States-Russian
Federation agreement. For the first time, it recognized chemical weapons
were a threat to international peace and security. That would help to
prevent a repeat of recent massacres, eliminating one of the Middle East's
largest chemical weapons arsenals in a peaceful manner. Morocco hoped a
date would soon be set for the holding of the Geneva II Conference.
Syria’s humanitarian situation was a catastrophe and every effort must be made
to support United Nations agencies to help in that regard. Syria's
neighbours were also suffering.
HÉCTOR MARCOS TIMERMAN,
Foreign Minister of Argentina, noting that the unfolding “horror
show” was neither isolated nor unpredictable. Nevertheless, a door had
been opened to a solution. The world saw the pettiness of the
geopolitical interests at play, which had prompted ethical outrage in the
international community. There was no leeway for double standards, he
said, adding that those using chemical weapons must not go unpunished.
The multilateral regime established by the United Nations Charter must be the
basis for the lasting peace. The resolution established a specific
mechanism for the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria on the basis of the
United States-Russian Federation accord, and it also contained elements
discussed in the Council, which had prompted Argentina to co-sponsor it.
He called for greater efforts to address the other dimensions of the conflict
and said the Council must remain seized of the matter.
EUGÈNE-RICHARD GASANA ( Rwanda)
said that, as the world prepared for the twentieth anniversary of the killing
of Tutsis in his country, the conscience of the international community had
been stained by the ongoing conflict in Syria, now in its thirteenth
month. “We said ‘never again’ in Rwanda”; yet ethnic cleansing and other
horrors had occurred in many corners of the world. The Council had not
been able to save more than 100,000 people in Syria, due to divisions
among certain members. The 21 August attack had led to the loss of
innocent lives.
He welcomed the
Council's decision to impose coercive measures under the Charter’s
Chapter VII, should Syrian authorities not comply with today's text.
He was pleased it called for the revival of the Geneva process. A
military solution was not viable for that country or for the region. He
urged the Council — especially the “P-5” countries that had influence on Syrian
parties — to implement the Geneva Communiqué as soon as possible. Any
political solution should ensure that those who had committed crimes were held
accountable.
KODJO MENAN ( Togo),
welcoming the resolution’s adoption, said the spirit of compromise had
eventually prevailed. The Russian-American framework laid the groundwork
for the text, he said, adding that, by co-sponsoring it, Togo not only had
demonstrated its desire to see the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons, but
also of all weapons of mass destruction. The Security Council must step
up efforts for a radiant future for Syria through the Geneva II
Conference, he said, adding that the unity demonstrated in the Council must be
used to bring together all parties in Syria for a political solution. The
Council also must pay attention to the terrorist violence committed in that
country, he said, adding that an inclusive and multi-faith Syria would bring
unity and conciliation.
GARY QUINLAN ( Australia)
expressed hope that today's text would mark a turning point in the Council's
approach to Syria, showing that the body could use its authority to help
achieve a stable and secure future for Syrians. For the first time, the
Council had made clear that chemical weapons use was a threat to international
peace and security, strengthening a fundamental norm of international
relations: that the use of those weapons was abhorrent and breached
international law.
He said that the text
imposed legally binding obligations on Syria to secure and destroy its chemical
weapons, and place them and related materials under international
supervision. The Council decided that non-compliance by Syria would
result in Chapter VII consequences. Importantly, the Council
reaffirmed that the perpetrators of that mass atrocity crimes must be held
accountable. Australia believed that available data showed that the
Syrian authorities were responsible for chemical weapons use and that the
Council should refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.
Also, for the first time, the Council endorsed the Geneva Communiqué. It
must now address humanitarian crisis more decisively.
Resolution
The full text of
Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
Recalling the
Statements of its President of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012,
5 April 2012, and its resolutions 1540 (2004),
2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012),
Reaffirming its
strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of
the Syrian Arab Republic,
Reaffirming that
the proliferation of chemical weapons, as well as their means of delivery,
constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
Recalling that
the Syrian Arab Republic on 22 November 1968 acceded to the Protocol
for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases
and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on
17 June 1925,
Noting that
on 14 September 2013, the Syrian Arab Republic deposited with the
Secretary-General its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
their Destruction (Convention) and declared that it shall comply with its
stipulations and observe them faithfully and sincerely, applying the Convention
provisionally pending its entry into force for the Syrian Arab Republic,
Welcoming the
establishment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mission to
Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab
Republic (the Mission) pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 42/37 C (1987) of 30 November 1987, and
reaffirmed by resolution 620 (1988) of 26 August 1988, and expressing appreciation
for the work of the Mission,
Acknowledging the
report of 16 September 2013 (S/2013/553) by the Mission, underscoring the
need for the Mission to fulfil its mandate, and emphasizing that
future credible allegations of chemical weapons use in the Syrian Arab Republic
should be investigated,
Deeply outraged by
the use of chemical weapons on 21 August 2013 in Rif Damascus, as
concluded in the Mission’s report, condemning the killing of
civilians that resulted from it, affirming that the use of
chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law, and stressing that
those responsible for any use of chemical weapons must be held accountable,
Recalling the
obligation under resolution 1540 (2004) that all States shall refrain
from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop,
acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use weapons of mass
destruction, including chemical weapons and their means of delivery,
Welcoming the
Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons dated
14 September 2013, in Geneva, between the Russian Federation and the
United States of America (S/2013/565), with a view to ensuring the destruction
of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme in the soonest and
safest manner, and expressing its commitment to the immediate
international control over chemical weapons and their components in the Syrian
Arab Republic,
Welcoming the
decision of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons (OPCW) of 27 September 2013 establishing special
procedures for the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s
chemical weapons programme and stringent verification thereof, and expressing its
determination to ensure the destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical
weapons program according to the timetable contained in the OPCW Executive
Council decision of 27 September 2013,
Stressing that
the only solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is through
an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva Communiqué of
30 June 2012, andemphasising the need to convene the
international conference on Syria as soon as possible,
Determining that
the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic constitutes a threat to
international peace and security,
Underscoring that
Member States are obligated under Article 25 of the Charter of the United
Nations to accept and carry out the Council's decisions,
1.Determines that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constitutes a
threat to international peace and security;
2.Condemns in
the strongest terms any use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, in
particular the attack on 21 August 2013, in violation of
international law;
3.Endorses the
decision of the OPCW Executive Council 27 September 2013, which
contains special procedures for the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab
Republic’s chemical weapons programme and stringent verification thereof and
calls for its full implementation in the most expedient and safest manner;
4.Decides that the Syrian Arab Republic shall not use, develop, produce,
otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, or transfer, directly
or indirectly, chemical weapons to other States or non-State actors;
5.Underscores that
no party in Syria should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain, or
transfer chemical weapons;
6.Decides that
the Syrian Arab Republic shall comply with all aspects of the decision of the
OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013 (Annex I);
7.Decides that
the Syrian Arab Republic shall cooperate fully with the OPCW and the United
Nations, including by complying with their relevant recommendations, by
accepting personnel designated by the OPCW or the United Nations, by providing
for and ensuring the security of activities undertaken by these personnel, by
providing these personnel with immediate and unfettered access to and the right
to inspect, in discharging their functions, any and all sites, and by allowing
immediate and unfettered access to individuals that the OPCW has grounds to
believe to be of importance for the purpose of its mandate, and decides that
all parties in Syria shall cooperate fully in this regard;
8.Decides to
authorize an advance team of United Nations personnel to provide early
assistance to OPCW activities in Syria, requests the
Director-General of the OPCW and the Secretary-General to closely cooperate in
the implementation of the Executive Council decision of
27 September 2013 and this resolution, including through their
operational activities on the ground, and further requests the
Secretary-General, in consultation with the Director-General of the OPCW and,
where appropriate, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, to
submit to the Council within 10 days of the adoption of this resolution
recommendations regarding the role of the United Nations in eliminating the
Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons program;
9.Notes that
the Syrian Arab Republic is a party to the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations, decides that OPCW-designated
personnel undertaking activities provided for in this resolution or the
decision of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013 shall
enjoy the privileges and immunities contained in the Verification Annex,
Part II(B) of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and calls on
the Syrian Arab Republic to conclude modalities agreements with the United
Nations and the OPCW;
10.Encourages Member
States to provide support, including personnel, technical expertise,
information, equipment, and financial and other resources and assistance, in
coordination with the Director-General of the OPCW and the Secretary-General,
to enable the OPCW and the United Nations to implement the elimination of the
Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme, anddecides to
authorize Member States to acquire, control, transport, transfer and destroy
chemical weapons identified by the Director-General of the OPCW, consistent
with the objective of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to ensure the
elimination of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme in the
soonest and safest manner;
11.Urges all
Syrian parties and interested Member States with relevant capabilities to work
closely together and with the OPCW and the United Nations to arrange for the
security of the monitoring and destruction mission, recognizing the primary
responsibility of the Syrian Government in this regard;
12.Decides to
review on a regular basis the implementation in the Syrian Arab Republic of the
decision of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013 and this
resolution, and requeststhe Director-General of the OPCW to report
to the Security Council, through the Secretary-General, who shall include
relevant information on United Nations activities related to the implementation
of this resolution, within 30 days and every month thereafter, and requests further
the Director-General of the OPCW and the Secretary-General to report in a
coordinated manner, as needed, to the Security Council, non-compliance with
this resolution or the OPCW Executive Council decision of
27 September 2013;
13.Reaffirms its
readiness to consider promptly any reports of the OPCW under Article VIII
of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which provides for the referral of cases of
non-compliance to the United Nations Security Council;
14.Decides that
Member States shall inform immediately the Security Council of any violation of
resolution 1540(2004), including acquisition by non-State actors of
chemical weapons, their means of delivery and related materials in order to
take necessary measures therefore;
15.Expresses its
strong conviction that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical
weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic should be held accountable;
16.Endorses fully
the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012 (Annex II), which sets out
a number of key steps beginning with the establishment of a transitional
governing body exercising full executive powers, which could include members of
the present Government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed
on the basis of mutual consent;
17.Calls for
the convening, as soon as possible, of an international conference on Syria to
implement the Geneva Communiqué, and calls upon all Syrian
parties to engage seriously and constructively at the Geneva Conference on
Syria, and underscores that they should be fully
representative of the Syrian people and committed to the implementation of the
Geneva Communiqué and to the achievement of stability and reconciliation;
18.Reaffirms that all Member States shall
refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to
develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear,
chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, and calls
upon all Member States, in particular Member States neighbouring the
Syrian Arab Republic, to report any violations of this paragraph to the
Security Council immediately;
19.Demands that
non-State actors not develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport,
transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of
delivery, and calls upon all Member States, in particular
Member States neighbouring the Syrian Arab Republic, to report any actions
inconsistent with this paragraph to the Security Council immediately;
21.Decides,
in the event of non-compliance with this resolution, including unauthorized
transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone in the
Syrian Arab Republic, to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United
Nations Charter;
22.Decides to
remain actively seized of the matter.
Annex I
OPCW Executive Council
Decision
Decision on destruction
of Syrian chemical weapons
The Executive Council,
Recalling that
following its thirty-second Meeting, 27 March 2013, the Chairperson
of the Executive Council (hereinafter “the Council”) issued a statement
(EC-M-32/2/Rev.1, dated 27 March 2013) expressing “deep concern that
chemical weapons may have been used in the Syrian Arab Republic”, and
underlining that “the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances
would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards
of the international community
Recalling also that the
third Review Conference (RC-3/3*, 19 April 2013) expressed “deep
concern that chemical weapons may have been used in the Syrian Arab Republic
and underlined that use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances
would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the legal norms and standards
of the international community
Noting the “Report on
the Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in the Ghouta area of Damascus on
21 August 2013,” (S/2013/553, dated 16 September 2013)
prepared by the United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of
Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, dated 16 September 2013,
which concludes that “chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict
between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic, also against civilians,
including children, on a relatively large scale
Condemning in the
strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons;
Welcoming the Framework
for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons agreed upon by the United States and
the Russian Federation on 14 September 2013 (EC-M-33/NAT.1, dated 17 September 2013);
Noting also that on
12 September 2013, in its communication to the Secretary-General of
the United Nations, the Syrian Arab Republic notified its intention to apply
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling,
and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (hereinafter “the
Convention”) provisionally;
Noting further that on
14 September 2013, the Syrian Arab Republic deposited with the
Secretary-General of the United Nations its instrument of accession to the
Convention and declared that it shall comply with its stipulations and observe
them faithfully and sincerely, applying the Convention provisionally pending
its entry into force for the Syrian Arab Republic, which was notified to all
States Parties by the depositary on the same date
(C.N.592.2013.TREATIES-XXVI.3), and taking into account that the depositary
received no communications to the contrary from the States Parties with regard
to this declaration;
Noting further that the
Convention enters into force for the Syrian Arab Republic on
14 October 2013;
Recognizing the
extraordinary character of the situation posed by Syrian chemical weapons and
determined to ensure that the activities necessary for the destruction of the
Syrian chemical weapons programme start immediately pending the formal entry
into force of the Convention with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic, and are
conducted in the most rapid and safe manner;
Recognizing also the
invitation of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to receive immediately
a technical delegation from the OPCW and to cooperate with the OPCW in
accordance with the provisional application of the Convention prior to its
entry into force for the Syrian Arab Republic, and noting the designation by
the Syrian Arab Republic to the Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”)
of its National Authority;
Emphasising that the
provisional application of the Convention gives immediate effect to its
provisions with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic;
Noting further that the
Syrian Arab Republic submitted on 19 September 2013 the detailed
information, including names, types and quantities of its chemical weapons
agents, types of munitions and location and form of storage, production, and
research and development facilities;
Noting further that
pursuant to paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the Convention, the
Council, following its consideration of doubts or concerns regarding compliance
and cases of non-compliance, shall, in cases of particular gravity and urgency,
bring the issue or matter, including relevant information and conclusions,
directly to the attention of the United Nations General Assembly and the United
Nations Security Council;
Taking into account the
Agreement Concerning the Relationship between the United Nations and the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of
17 October 2000;
Strongly urging all
remaining States not Party to the Convention to ratify or accede to it as a
matter of urgency and without preconditions, in the interests of enhancing
their own national security, as well as contributing to global peace and
security; and
Recalling that,
pursuant to paragraph 8 of Article IV and paragraph 10 of
Article V of the Convention, a State acceding to the Convention after 2007
shall destroy its chemical weapons and its chemical weapons production
facilities as soon as possible, and the Council shall determine the “order of
destruction and procedures for stringent verification” of such destruction;
Hereby:
1. Decides
that the Syrian Arab Republic shall:
(a) not
later than 7 days after the adoption of this decision, submit to the
Secretariat further information, to supplement that provided on
19 September 2013, on the chemical weapons as defined in paragraph1
of Article II of the Convention that the Syrian Arab Republic owns or
possesses, or has under its jurisdiction or control, in particular:
(i) the chemical name and military
designator of each chemical in its chemical weapons stockpile, including
precursors and toxins, and quantities thereof;
(ii) the specific type of munitions,
sub-munitions and devices in its chemical weapons stockpile, including specific
quantities of each type that are filled and unfilled; and
(iii)the location of all of its chemical
weapons, chemical weapons storage facilities, chemical weapons production
facilities, including mixing and filling facilities and chemical weapons
research and development facilities, providing specific geographic coordinates;
(b) not
later than 30 days after the adoption of this decision, submit to the
Secretariat the declaration required by Article III of the Convention;
(c)complete
the elimination of all chemical weapons material and equipment in the first
half of 2014, subject to the detailed requirements, including intermediate
destruction milestones, to be decided by the Council not later than
15 November 2013;
(d)complete
as soon as possible and in any case not later than 1 November 2013,
the destruction of chemical weapons production and mixing/filling equipment;
(e) cooperate fully with all aspects of the implementation of this decision,
including by providing the OPCW personnel with the immediate and unfettered
right to inspect any and all sites in the Syrian Arab Republic;
(f)designate an official as the main point of contact for the Secretariat and provide
him or her with the authority necessary to ensure that this decision is fully
implemented.
2.Decides
further that the Secretariat shall:
(a)make
available to all States Parties, within five days of its receipt, any
information or declaration referred to in this decision, which shall be handled
in accordance with the Annex to the Convention on the Protection of
Confidential Information;
(b)as soon
as possible and in any case not later than 1 October 2013, initiate
inspections in the Syrian Arab Republic pursuant to this decision;
(c) inspect
not later than 30 days after the adoption of this decision, all facilities
contained in the list referred to in paragraph 1 (a) above;
(d)inspect
as soon as possible any other site identified by a State Party as having been
involved in the Syrian chemical weapons programme, unless deemed unwarranted by
the Director-General, or the matter resolved through the process of
consultations and cooperation;
(e)be
authorized to hire, on a short-term basis, qualified inspectors and other
technical experts and to rehire, on a short-term basis, inspectors, other
technical experts and such other personnel as may be required whose term of
service has recently expired, in order to ensure efficient and effective
implementation of this decision in accordance with paragraph 44 of
Article VIII of the Convention; and
(f)report
to the Council on a monthly basis on implementation of this decision including
progress achieved by the Syrian Arab Republic in meeting the requirements of
this decision and the Convention, activities carried out by the Secretariat
with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic and its needs for any supplementary
resources, particularly technical and personnel resources.
3. Decides
further:
(a)to
consider, on an urgent basis, the funding mechanisms for activities carried out
by the Secretariat with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic, and to call upon
all States Parties in a position to do so to provide voluntary contributions for
activities carried out in the implementation of this decision;
(b)to meet
within 24 hours if the Director-General reports delay by the Syrian Arab
Republic in meeting the requirements of this decision or the Convention,
including, inter alia, the cases referred to in paragraph 7 of
Part II of the Annex to the Convention on Implementation and Verification,
or a lack of cooperation in the Syrian Arab Republic or another problem that
has arisen with regard to the implementation of this decision and at that meeting
to consider whether to bring the matter, including relevant information and
conclusions, to the attention of the United Nations Security Council in
accordance with paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the Convention;
(c) to
remain seized of the matter; and
(d)to
recognize that this decision is made due to the extraordinary character of the
situation posed by Syrian chemical weapons and does not create any precedent
for the future.
Annex II
Action Group for Syria
Final Communiqué
30 June 2012
1. On
30 June 2012, the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the
League of Arab States, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of China, France, the
Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America, Turkey, Iraq (Chair of the Summit of the League
of Arab States), Kuwait (Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the
League of Arab States) and Qatar (Chair of the Arab Follow-up Committee on
Syria of the League of Arab States) and the High Representative of the European
Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy met at the United Nations Office
at Geneva as the Action Group for Syria, chaired by the Joint Special Envoy of
the United Nations and the League of Arab States to Syria.
2.The members
of the Action Group came together out of grave alarm at the situation in the
Syrian Arab Republic. They strongly condemn the continued and escalating
killing, destruction and human rights abuses. They are deeply concerned
at the failure to protect civilians, the intensification of the violence, the
potential for even deeper conflict in the country and the regional dimensions
of the problem. The unacceptable nature and magnitude of the crisis
demands a common position and joint international action.
3.The
members of the Action Group are committed to the sovereignty, independence,
national unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.
They are determined to work urgently and intensively to bring about an
end to the violence and human rights abuses, and to facilitate the launch of a
Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that meets the legitimate
aspirations of the Syrian people and enables them independently and
democratically to determine their own future.
4.In order
to secure these common objectives, the members of the Action Group
(a) identified steps and measures by the parties to secure the full
implementation of the six-point plan and Security Council
resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012), including an immediate
cessation of violence in all its forms; (b) agreed on principles and
guidelines for a political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of
the Syrian people; and (c) agreed on actions that they would take to
implement the objectives in support of the Joint Special Envoy’s efforts to
facilitate a Syrian-led political process. They are convinced that this
can encourage and support progress on the ground and will help to facilitate
and support a Syrian-led transition.
Identified steps and
measures by the parties to secure the full implementation of the six-point plan
and Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012)
and 2043 (2012), including an immediate cessation of violence in all
its forms
5.The
parties must fully implement the six-point plan and Security Council
resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012). To that end:
(a)All
parties must recommit to a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its
forms and to the implementation of the six-point plan immediately and without
waiting for the actions of others. The Government and armed opposition groups
must cooperate with the United Nations Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab
Republic (UNSMIS), with a view to furthering the implementation of the plan in
accordance with the Mission’s mandate;
(b)A
cessation of armed violence must be sustained, with immediate, credible and
visible actions by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to implement the
other items of the six-point plan, including:
(i)Intensification of the pace and scale
of release of arbitrarily detained persons, including especially vulnerable
categories of persons, and persons involved in peaceful political activities;
the provision, without delay and through appropriate channels, of a list of all
places in which such persons are being detained; the immediate organization of
access to such locations; and the provision, through appropriate channels, of
prompt responses to all written requests for information, access or release
regarding such persons;
(ii)Ensuring freedom of movement
throughout the country for journalists and a non-discriminatory visa policy for
them;
(iii)Respecting freedom of association and the
right to demonstrate peacefully, as legally guaranteed;
(c)In all
circumstances, all parties must show full respect for the safety and security
of UNSMIS and fully cooperate with and facilitate the Mission in all respects;
(d)In all
circumstances, the Government must allow immediate and full humanitarian access
by humanitarian organizations to all areas affected by the fighting. The
Government and all parties must enable the evacuation of the wounded, and all
civilians who wish to leave must be enabled to do so. All parties must
fully adhere to their obligations under international law, including in
relation to the protection of civilians.
Agreed principles and
guidelines for a Syrian-led transition
6.The
members of the Action Group agreed on the principles and guidelines for a
Syrian-led transition set out below.
7.Any
political settlement must deliver to the people of the Syrian Arab Republic a
transition that:
(a)Offers a
perspective for the future that can be shared by all in the Syrian Arab
Republic;
(b)Establishes clear steps according to a firm timetable towards the realization
of that perspective;
(c)Can be
implemented in a climate of safety for all and of stability and calm;
(d)Is
reached rapidly without further bloodshed and violence and is credible.
8. Perspective
for the future. The aspirations of the people of the Syrian Arab
Republic have been clearly expressed by the wide range of Syrians consulted.
There is an overwhelming wish for a State that:
(a)Is
genuinely democratic and pluralistic, giving space to established and newly
emerging political actors to compete fairly and equally in elections.
This also means that the commitment to multiparty democracy must be a
lasting one, going beyond an initial round of elections;
(b)Complies
with international standards on human rights, the independence of the
judiciary, accountability of those in Government and the rule of law. It
is not enough just to enunciate such a commitment. There must be
mechanisms available to the people to ensure that these commitments are kept by
those in authority;
(c)Offers
equal opportunities and chances for all. There is no room for
sectarianism or discrimination on ethnic, religious, linguistic or any other
grounds. Numerically smaller communities must be assured that their
rights will be respected.
9.Clear
steps in the transition. The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic
will end only when all sides are assured that there is a peaceful way towards a
common future for all in the country. It is therefore essential that any
settlement provide for clear and irreversible steps in the transition according
to a fixed time frame. The key steps in any transition include:
(a)The
establishment of a transitional governing body that can establish a neutral
environment in which the transition can take place, with the transitional
governing body exercising full executive powers. It could include members
of the present Government and the opposition and other groups and shall be
formed on the basis of mutual consent;
(b)It is
for the Syrian people to determine the future of the country. All groups
and segments of society in the Syrian Arab Republic must be enabled to
participate in a national dialogue process. That process must be not only
inclusive but also meaningful. In other words, its key outcomes must be
implemented;
(c)On that
basis, there can be a review of the constitutional order and the legal system.
The result of constitutional drafting would be subject to popular
approval;
(d)Upon
establishment of the new constitutional order, it will be necessary to prepare
for and conduct free and fair multiparty elections for the new institutions and
offices that have been established;
(e)Women
must be fully represented in all aspects of the transition.
10.Safety,
stability and calm. Any transition involves change. However, it is
essential to ensure that the transition can be implemented in a way that
ensures the safety of all in an atmosphere of stability and calm. This
requires:
(a)Consolidation of full calm and stability. All parties must cooperate with
the transitional governing body to ensure the permanent cessation of violence.
This includes completion of withdrawals and addressing the issue of the
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed groups;
(b)Effective steps to ensure that vulnerable groups are protected and that
immediate action is taken to address humanitarian issues in areas of need.
It is also necessary to ensure that the release of the detained is
completed rapidly;
(c)Continuity of governmental institutions and qualified staff. Public
services must be preserved or restored. This includes the military forces
and security services. However, all governmental institutions, including
the intelligence services, have to perform according to human rights and professional
standards and operate under a leadership that inspires public confidence, under
the control of the transitional governing body;
(d) Commitment to accountability and national reconciliation. Accountability
for acts committed during the present conflict must be addressed. There
also needs to be a comprehensive package for transitional justice, including
compensation or rehabilitation for victims of the present conflict, steps
towards national reconciliation and forgiveness.
11.Rapid
steps to come to a credible political agreement. It is for the people
of the Syrian Arab Republic to come to a political agreement, but time is
running out. It is clear that:
(a)The
sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab
Republic must be respected;
(b)The
conflict must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiation alone.
Conditions conducive to a political settlement must now be put in place;
(c).There
must be an end to the bloodshed. All parties must recommit themselves
credibly to the six-point plan. This must include a cessation of armed
violence in all its forms and immediate, credible and visible actions to
implement points 2 to 6 of the six-point plan;
(d)All
parties must now engage genuinely with the Joint Special Envoy. The
parties must be prepared to put forward effective interlocutors to work
expeditiously towards a Syrian-led settlement that meets the legitimate
aspirations of the people. The process must be fully inclusive in order
to ensure that the views of all segments of Syrian society are heard in shaping
the political settlement for the transition;
(e)The
organized international community, including the members of the Action Group,
stands ready to offer significant support for the implementation of an
agreement reached by the parties. This may include an international
assistance presence under a United Nations mandate if requested.
Significant funds will be available to support reconstruction and
rehabilitation.
Agreed actions
12.actions that the members of the Group will take to implement the above in
support of the Joint Special Envoy’s efforts to facilitate a Syrian-led
political process are as follows:
(a)Action
Group members will engage as appropriate, and apply joint and sustained
pressure on, the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic to take the steps and
measures outlined in paragraph 5 above;
(b)Action
Group members are opposed to any further militarization of the conflict;
(c)Action
Group members emphasize to the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic the
importance of the appointment of an effective empowered interlocutor, when
requested by the Joint Special Envoy to do so, to work on the basis of the six
point plan and the present communiqué;
(d)Action
Group members urge the opposition to increase cohesion and to be in a position
to ensure effective representative interlocutors to work on the basis of the
six-point plan and the present communiqué;
(e)Action
Group members will give full support to the Joint Special Envoy and his team as
they immediately engage the Government and the opposition, and will consult
widely with Syrian society, as well as other international actors, to further
develop the way forward;
(f)Action
Group members would welcome the further convening by the Joint Special Envoy of
a meeting of the Action Group, should he deem it necessary to review the
concrete progress taken on all points agreed in the present communiqué and to
determine what further and additional steps and actions are needed from the
Action Group to address the crisis. The Joint Special Envoy will also keep the
United Nations and the League of Arab States informed.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)