Statement of Italy – delivered by Amb. Gianluca Greco
Mr President,
Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the European Union and would like to add some remarks in a national capacity.
At the outset, we would like to congratulate Mr Robert Petit on taking up his new role as Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic.
We also would like to acknowledge the presence and statement of Syria’s Foreign Minister, Al-Shaibani, which testifies to the significant developments Syria has undergone in the last months. For the first time after many years the Syrian people can look with hope at the prospect of a more stable, peaceful and prosperous future for their country. It is in this context that Italy wishes to reiterate its continued support for a Syrian-owned, Syrian-led, UN-facilitated political transition and in this respect we welcome the continuing efforts of the UN Special Envoy Geir Petersen.
We are also convinced that accountability for the most serious crimes committed by any party during the conflict, in particular war crimes and crimes against humanity, must be pursued in the framework of and in line with the national reconciliation process. Accountability for those horrendous crimes is not only a moral imperative, but also a deterrent of future violations and a fundamental element of any reconciliation process. Impunity must end and the new political environment in Syria is a unique opportunity for meaningful transitional justice for the Syrian people, in which national ownership will have to play a key role.
It is in that spirit that Italy strongly supports the IIIM – together with the other UN bodies established for the purpose of accountability in Syria, such as the Commission of Inquiry, the OPWC Investigation and Identification Team and the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic- as a key mechanism for the collection, consolidation, preservation, analysis and sharing of evidence of grave violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Mr President,
Italy is appreciative of the progress achieved by the Mechanism during the reporting period and welcomes the increasing cooperation between the Mechanisms and national authorities in investigating and prosecuting the gravest crimes committed in Syria. National prosecutions and sentences in several countries show that the impunity gap is narrowing. At the same time, we call on the interim Syrian authorities to ensure the full operation of the Mechanism on Syrian territory also with a view to building capacity and supporting efforts by Syrian courts and investigators.
Mr President,
The pattern observed in Syria over the years of the civil war has been a shocking one. The publication in December last year on the website of the Mechanism of a public redacted version of a report on the criminal activities, including torture, ill-treatment and unlawful killings, in over 100 detention facilities throughout the country is a stark reminder of the systematic brutalities committed for more than a decade under the regime of Bashar-Al-Assad.
Indiscriminate violence has often targeted the most vulnerable, such as women, girls, children and minorities. It is in this context that Italy wishes to express its appreciation for the efforts made by the Mechanism to develop thematic strategies focused on those vulnerable categories on the basis of a victim/survivor-centred approach. Cooperation with civil society organizations, within and outside Syria, is of paramount importance in this respect. Inclusive justice for the Syrian people can be achieved only if the perspectives of those who have suffered the most from the conflict are taken onboard.
Finally, let me take this opportunity to reiterate that Italy supports the funding of the IIIM through the regular UN budget and through voluntary contributions. It is essential that the Mechanism can count on a regular UN financial endowment in order to plan and progress in its work. Italy will continue to support within UN competent bodies a regular and adequate provision of funds for the Mechanism.
Thank you.
