‘The current resolution’s myopic focus on the victims of chemical weapons attacks misses the bigger picture’ - José Luis Díaz

Today’s UN Security Council vote on a new Syria resolution must not be another wasted opportunity that lets down the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Amnesty International said ahead of the vote, as the organisation criticised the “myopic” nature of the resolution.

The draft resolution focuses on the international response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria on 21 August, but Amnesty said Security Council members must take effective measures towards ending the mass violations being committed in Syria, including by ensuring accountability and justice for victims, and improving access to humanitarian assistance.

José Luis Díaz, head of Amnesty International’s UN office in New York, said:

“This resolution must not be another missed opportunity.

“More than two years into the Syrian conflict, the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity have yet to see serious engagement from international players to ensure justice and accountability.

“The current resolution’s myopic focus on the victims of chemical weapons attacks misses the bigger picture, and fails to prescribe action to prevent mass violations and assist the millions of people displaced by the conflict. Further diplomatic efforts are urgently needed to flesh out the international response to the wider conflict.

“The very fact the Security Council members agree about the fact that the war crime of using chemical weapons against civilians occurred begs the question of why they are not referring the situation to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Disagreement on who was responsible is no excuse to stop an ICC investigation. The referral should happen without delay.”

Amnesty is urging the UN Security Council to widen its engagement on the Syrian conflict by ensuring that:

*The Syrian government allows the UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry on Syria access to investigate all human rights violations - including those amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes - being committed by all parties to the conflict;

*The situation in Syria is referred to Prosecutor of International Criminal Court, to ensure that all sides are held accountable for alleged crimes under international law;

*The Syrian government and armed opposition groups allow humanitarian agencies unfettered access to assist the civilian population without discrimination. In the case of the Syrian government, this must include cross-border and cross-line access in order to be effective.