Security Council Press Statement on Syria

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President María Cristina Perceval (Argentina):

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the continued high level of violence in Syria and condemned all violence directed against civilians.  They expressed outrage at all attacks against civilians, as well as indiscriminate attacks, including those involving shelling and aerial bombardment, such as the use of barrel bombs, which were reportedly dropped on a displaced persons camp in Idlib Governorate on 29 October, leaving many dead and injured, including children.

The members of the Security Council recalled that all obligations under international humanitarian law must be respected in all circumstances.  They recalled, in particular, the obligation to distinguish between civilian populations and combatants, and the prohibition against indiscriminate attacks, and attacks against civilians and civilian objects.  The members of the Security Council reiterated their call on all parties to immediately implement in full the provisions of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2013) and 2165 (2014), and of the Presidential Statement of 2 October 2013 (S/PRST/2013/15).

The members of the Security Council reiterated that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process with a view to full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012.