RODNEY M. HUNTER (United States) said millions of people have received life-sustaining assistance through the humanitarian-aid mechanism enabled by the resolution. Noting the continued implementation of the agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey in the north-west, he said it should be sustained, with respect for civilians and infrastructure. Also emphasizing the importance of financing for the current humanitarian response plan, he pointed out that while donors have provided more than $2.1 billion, the initiative remains only two-thirds funded. âYet there is no question that the Councilâs authorization of cross-border humanitarian access through Bab al-Hawa for 12 months is a victory in light of the Russian Federation and the Peopleâs Republic of Chinaâs willingness to use their veto to compel a dramatic reduction in humanitarian assistance,â she said. Most of that cross-border aid is food â and it is enough for 1.3 million people every month. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait), speaking in explanation of position before the vote, said the consultations on the draft were fruitful, enabling Swedenâs delegation and his own to present a purely humanitarian text. Emphasizing that 13 million people in Syria need the renewal, he said the text will enable the Council to continue contributing to the alleviation of their suffering. Yesterday, we voted with 13 members of the Council â an overwhelming majority â to take a principled and humanitarian stand in support of the UNâs impartial, apolitical, and needs-based recommendation to re-authorize the existing cross-border mechanism â two crossings in the northwest â ⦠âNoting the role that ceasefire agreements which are consistent with humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law can play in facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance in order to help save civilian lives, reiterating its call upon all parties to respect and fulfil their commitments to existing ceasefire agreements, as well as the full implementation of resolution 2268 (2016) and 2401 (2018), as a step towards a comprehensive nation-wide ceasefire and emphasising that humanitarian access must be part of these efforts in accordance with international humanitarian law. UN AMBASSADOR CRAFT WARNS OF 'MASS GRAVES' IF RUSSIA WON'T BACK DOWN IN SYRIAN AID IMPASSE. Twelve members voted in favour of the resolution, while three members (China, the Dominican Republic and Russia) abstained. âThat is the main issue.â. GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru) said the demilitarized zone established in Idlib must be maintained. Russia in January vetoed a resolution that would see four crossings opened and forced the council to pass a resolution that reduced it to just two in the northwest on the border with Turkey: Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa.  This would be a crucial step towards bringing back lasting peace and stability to Syria. 20 NGO leaders - including IRC President and CEO, David Miliband - are calling on the Security Council to renew the resolution for a period of 12 months He went on to cite estimates by humanitarian organizations that up to 6,000 people remain trapped in areas under the control of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daâesh) east of the Euphrates in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. Civilians continue to suffer as a result of both ground fighting and air strikes. Also expressing concern over more than 40,000 people in Rukban, he noted that âthe deployment of our convoy in November has shown that where there is political will, humanitarian organizations can mobilize quickly and provide aid to those in needâ. It is crucial to build on this first delivery with a second convoy later this month to provide food, water hygiene and sanitation support, as well as medical and nutrition items, he stressed. âNoting with grave concern that impunity in Syria contributes to widespread violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, stressing the need to end impunity for these violations and abuses and re-emphasising in this regard that those who have committed or are otherwise responsible for such violations and abuses in Syria must be brought to justice. The negotiations make clear the difficulties the U.S and other countries face in overcoming opposition from Russia in particular -- Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assadâs closest ally -- to pass Syria-related resolutions at the Security Council given Russia's veto power. RUSSIA, CHINA BLOCK LATEST UN SECURITY COUNCIL ATTEMPT TO EXTEND SYRIA CROSS-BORDER AID PROGRAM. âReaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. âExpressing grave concern that access to medical care continues to be severely restricted and reiterating the need to respect the principle of medical neutrality, facilitate free passage to all areas for medical personnel, equipment, transport and supplies, including surgical items. Ambassador Kelly Craft last week told Fox News there could be "mass graves" if Russia didn't drop its opposition to it being extended. âThe cynical and cruel maneuvering of Russia with Chinaâs support is one more tragic example of the broken U.N. humanitarian system, and a defamation of the Security Council's charter,â Susannah Sirkin, director of policy at the U.S.-based Physicians for Human Rights, said in a statement. The Friday vetoes mark the 15th and 16th veto by Russia of a Syria resolution since the Syrian conflict began in 2011 and the ninth and 10th by China. Clash at UN Security Council over cross-border aid for Syria. Legal Statement. This was announced on Saturday by German Permanent Representative to the UN Christoph Heusgen, who chairs the council in July, reports TASS. The United Nations Security Council has until July 10 to renew the Syria cross-border resolution, which ensures lifesaving UN aid reaches over four million Syrians living in areas outside of the Government of Syriaâs control. The cross-border mechanism allows UN agencies to deliver aid without the permission of the Assad government, which is critical because the regime consistently blocks aid from reaching opposition-held areas. Sustaining and scaling up the response is also critical in other parts of the country, including areas under Government control, where an estimated 8.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, he noted. A key priority has been addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in locations that have seen shifts in control, he said, adding that some 1.6 million people live in areas that have changed hands since the beginning of 2018. Some areas have suffered for years under the siege, impacted by intense military activity before changes in control or have seen no resumption of basic services since the change in control, he reported. Reiterating his requests to the Council two months ago, he said that despite important progress, it is vital to see access continue without impediment. Noting the continued implementation of the agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey in the north-west, he emphasized the need to sustain it and to respect civilians and infrastructure. Stressing the importance of financing the current humanitarian response plan, he pointed out that whereas donors have provided more than $2.1 billion, the response remains only two-thirds funded. Their health and welfare are now at great risk,â she said.  Citing the precarious conditions in Deir ez-Zor, he said the local population requires protection against Daâesh attacks. Market data provided by Factset. UNITED NATIONS, Dec 20 â Russia, backed by China, on Friday cast its 14th Security Council veto since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011 to block cross-border ⦠âThe Secretary-General also reiterates his call on all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian access to all people in need in accordance with international humanitarian law,â spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.  Warning against the politicization of humanitarian action, he said one cannot blame the Government of Syria while turning a blind eye to the actions of other countries and pretending that Raqqa does not exist. Mr. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait) said resolution 2165 (2018) is the result of weeks of consultations and negotiations. âIt contradicts the principle of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, which has been repeatedly confirmed in the Security Council resolutions, including this resolution,â Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said in an explanation of its vote. âExpressing its appreciation for the work of the United Nations monitoring mechanism in monitoring shipments and confirming their humanitarian nature, in accordance with resolutions 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258 (2015), 2332 (2016) and 2393 (2017) and commending the mechanismâs efforts in facilitating cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid by the United Nations and their implementing partners, emphasising the importance to further robust monitoring of the humanitarian nature of UN relief consignments and their delivery inside Syria and encouraging the United Nations and their implementing partners to continue to take steps to scale up humanitarian deliveries throughout the country, notably into hard-to-reach areas. The resolution received 12 votes in favor and three abstentions (including China and Russia). âExpressing outrage at the unacceptable level of violence and the killing of hundreds of thousands of people, including tens of thousands of child casualties, as a result of the Syrian conflict. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. âReiterating further its grave concern at the continuing impediments to the delivery of sustained, needs-based humanitarian assistance across the country through the most direct routes, including to hard-to-reach areas and across conflict lines. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution of Belgium and Germany to extend the mechanism of cross-border humanitarian assistance for Syria for six months. Legal Statement. But the competing resolution from Russia, Syriaâs closest ally on the Council, advocated the closure of the Al Yarubiyah crossing in Iraq. RUSSIAN RESOLUTION TO CUT US-BACKED SYRIAN CROSS-BORDER AID PROGRAM FAILS AT UN SECURITY COUNCIL.  All those who have committed serious rights violations must be held accountable.  Explaining that his delegation voted in favour of the resolution because it is crucial for cross-border humanitarian operations, he said they remain an indispensable lifeline. UN Security Council passes resolution authorizing cross-border aid to Syria, after Russian opposition The resolution received 12 votes in favor and three abstentions SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÃZ (Bolivia), emphasizing that any initiatives in Syria must be in accordance with international law, said his delegation voted in favour of the resolution due to the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Chinaâs representative said some legitimate concerns where not considered during the drafting process and called on Security Council members to continue engaging on this issue to foster consensus. Cross-border humanitarian assistance must fully respect the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. He called on the international community to increase its support to allow returning Syrians to live happily and peacefully. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. A majority at the council, including the U.S., wanted both those crossings extended, and a third crossing -- Al Yarubiyah -- opened on the northeast border with Iraq in order to get aid to an estimated 1.3 million stranded Syrians in need of medical supplies. The project was supported by 12 members of the Security Council. Speaking in his national capacity, he said the conflict has led to a humanitarian disaster whose consequences stretch far beyond its borders, with the primary responsibility resting with the Government of Syria. âWe will never forget the horrors of Homs, Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta,â he said. Noting that a military offensive in Idlib most likely would result in a new humanitarian disaster, he urged the Astana guarantors â Iran, Russian Federation and Turkey â to ensure the ceasefire is upheld and civilians are protected. Despite the Councilâs numerous calls to allow safe access, restrictions on deliveries persist. The integrity of the international legal order depends on the Councilâs ability to ensure that those responsible for crimes in Syria are brought to justice and held accountable. He called on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international law by, among other things, protecting civilians, hospitals and medical facilities. Underlining shortages in the humanitarian funding appeal, he said all countries must do their share to ensure aid agencies can continue their crucial work.  The way in which the Secretariat prepares its reports ignores such crucial issues as infrastructure and unilateral sanctions, he said. With rising cases of COVID-19 in Syria, this aid is more vital than ever. âReiterating its strong condemnation of all forms of violence and intimidation to which those participating in humanitarian operations are continue to be exposed, as well as attacks on humanitarian convoys and acts of destruction and looting of their assets and its urging of all parties involved in an armed conflict to promote the safety, security and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel, including medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties and United Nations and its associated personnel and their assets, expressing its ongoing admiration at the dedication and commitment of the Syrian Red Crescent volunteers and other humanitarian workers operating in deeply challenging conditions and urging all parties to take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety and security of United Nations and associated personnel, those of its specialised agencies and all other personnel engaged in humanitarian relief activities.  The Russian Federation and other guarantor countries will continue efforts to form a constitutional committee, in accordance with the decision taken in Sochi, he assured, adding that all the parameters must be approved by the Syrians themselves in order for the committee to be effective.
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