Security Council draft statement on the humanitarian situation in Syria

- The Security Council held consultations on the humanitarian and human rights situation in Syria following the public briefings on 18 April by senior UN officials.

- Members of the Security Council expressed the view that the escalating violence is completely unacceptable and must end immediately.

- Members of the Security Council condemned the widespread violations of human rights by the Syrian authorities, as well as any human rights abuses by armed groups.

- Members of the Security Council strongly condemned incidents of sexual violence, as well as the grave violations and abuses against children, including the recruitment and use of children in the conduct of hostilities.

- Members of the Security Council urged all parties, to protect civilians and respect international human rights and humanitarian law, recalling the primary responsibility of the Syrian authorities in this regard.

- Members of the Security Council stressed the need to ensure that there is no impunity for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

- Members of the Security Council urged all parties to ensure safe and unimpeded access for aid organisations to those in need in all areas of Syria. They deplored the obstacles to the provision of humanitarian assistance and underlined the urgent need to remove all such obstacles, including those which are bureaucratic in nature.

- Members of the Security Council called on all parties in Syria, and in particular the Syrian authorities, to cooperate fully with the United Nations and relevant humanitarian organisations. They underlined the need to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance through the most effective ways, including where appropriate across borders in accordance with international humanitarian principles, as recommended by Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos.

- Members of the Security Council called on member states to, as a matter of urgency, fulfil pledges made at the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference in Kuwait in January, including to support the UN’s Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan and the SyriaRegional Response Plan.

- Members of the Security Council underlined the destabilising impact of the crisis on Syria’s neighbours and emphasised the urgent need for further support to host countries and affected communities.

- Members of the Security Council called for parties to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel and refrain from attacking medical and educational facilities and personnel.

- Members of the Security Council reiterated their call for all parties to cease all armed violence in all its forms and underlined the need for a political process leading to a political transition on the basis of the Geneva Action Group Communiqué of 30 June 2012. 

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