UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: STATEMENT ON INTERIM ORAL UPDATE ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
8 April 2022
Statement by H.E. The Hon. Mitch Fifield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
We wish to express our thanks for today’s interim update on the issue of missing persons in Syria, and also the associated work to consider how to clarify the fate and whereabouts of those people, identify human remains, and provide support to families.
Australia remains steadfast in its support for the pursuit of accountability for crimes committed in Syria and justice for the victims of those crimes.
For over a decade the Syrian people have suffered unspeakable cruelties at the hands of warring parties. In addition to horrific instances of torture, rape and arbitrary detention, thousands of people, including many women and children, remain missing, their fates and whereabouts still unknown.
We take this opportunity to re-affirm Australia’s unwavering belief that there can be no credible, lasting peace in Syria without justice, and that accountability for atrocity crimes must be a priority.
To that end, we welcome this update and look forward to the opportunity to consider more information about a possible mechanism in time.