Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Inigo Lambertini, Vice Rappresentante Permanente d’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, alla riunione in formato Arria del Consiglio di Sicurezza con la “Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic” —
Many thanks to France, UK and US for convening this timely meeting and I wish to thank Chair Pinheiro and the Commission of Inquiry for its valuable work. We commend the Commission’s efforts to pave the way for accountability for those responsible of atrocities in Syria.
We are appalled by the findings of its latest report, which highlights the serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law by the parties to the battle for Aleppo amounting to war crimes.
We reiterate our condemnation of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, and we strongly support the call of the Commission of Inquiry to seek accountability for their infringement. Italy also supports the Mechanism set up by the GA to gather evidence and assist future prosecutions of crimes committed in Syria.
Accountability for gross and systematic violations committed in Syria is indeed paramount. Any inability to ensure accountability of perpetrators will result in additional brutality and continued flouting of international norms. All those responsible for such breaches of international law must be held accountable.
Today’s discussion also highlights the strong and urgent need of a lasting political solution, under the UN auspices, based on resolution 2254, as well as of an end to impunity, through accountability mechanisms aimed at fostering reconciliation. Only a real political transition and a thorough reconciliation will end violence and eradicate terrorism from Syria.
