Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan
To the United Nations
At the Briefing of the United Nations Security Council
On the Situation in Aleppo
25 September 2016
Madame President,
I thank you for convening this meeting. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Special Envoy Mr. Staffan de Mistura for his detailed briefing.
Madame President,
The week of 19 September, the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, should have been a breakthrough for the Syria crisis. We had already welcomed the agreement reached on 9 September between the United States and the Russian Federation. We expected that the reduction in violence would allow for expanded and unimpeded humanitarian access and the resumption of the political process.
Instead, this year’s high-level week began with shocking news from Big Orem in rural Aleppo. A warehouse of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and a UN/SARC aid convoy were attacked. Japan extends its sincere condolences to the SARC and the families of all humanitarian workers killed while doing their invaluable work in Syria. Japan calls upon the UN to investigate this incident and to release the results publicly.
Furthermore, Japan calls upon all of the relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers who engage in humanitarian assistance in Syria.
Madame President,
The result of the escalation of the fighting in Aleppo during the last few days is reported to have been extremely devastating. We express our deepest concern about the situation on the ground. Protection and access must be achieved urgently. A particularly serious test for humanitarian access will arrive on Monday. (As Mr. de Mistura informed us,) Humanitarian convoys scheduled to deliver items to eastern Aleppo are sitting at the Turkish-Syrian border, but the food supplies will soon expire. We strongly urge the Syrian government, opposition groups, and all states that have influence on them to work to enable these trucks to enter into eastern Aleppo.
Madame President,
We all share the view that only an immediate ceasefire can alleviate this devastating situation. Without a ceasefire, increased humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the resumption of the political process will never be attained. The important thing now is to bring the US-Russia agreement back on track. In light of the horrible intensification of the fighting and the catastrophic humanitarian situation, we must overcome our differences and unite to halt this breathtaking tragedy.
I thank you, Madame President.
