Statement by H. E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Emergency Meeting on Syria, Aleppo
13 December 2016

 

 

Mr. President,

 

Japan fully shares the international community’s serious concerns over the further worsening of the humanitarian situation in Aleppo, and believes that an urgent response is necessary.  With extreme cold and heavy rains, more than 80,000 IDPs are reported to be facing very dire circumstances.  It is very important that the Council has convened today on this matter. We must take action to help civilian Syrians.

 

The Secretary-General had made a very clear statement today. The UN underlines the obligation to protect civilians and abide by international humanitarian and human rights law. This is particularly the responsibility of the Syria Government and its allies as they go on with its military action in Aleppo.

 

On 8 December, the Council shared the view on two things: “humanity first,” and that we must advance a political process based on resolution 2254.   It was meaningful that the Council could share at least this view on Syria for the first time in a long time.  The core message was that there is no military solution to the Syrian crisis.  The long-lasting conflict has deeply scarred the Syrian people, physically and psychologically.  And hatred provides fertile grounds for extremism, benefitting no one.

 

The Council today must think above all of the Syrian people.  A prompt cessation of hostilities is needed, together with humanitarian aid and advancement of the political process.  We must demonstrate not with words but with actions that the international community will not abandon the people of Syria even in this dark hour.

 

I thank you, Mr. President.