Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Syria
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño (Venezuela):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Homs and Damascus, Syria, on 21 February, for which Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) claimed responsibility, during which more than 130 people were killed and hundreds injured. They expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people of the Syrian Arab Republic. They also wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their grave concern that ISIL, foreign terrorist fighters who have joined ISIL in Syria, groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL or Al-Qaida continue operating in Syria, and condemned the negative impact of their presence, violent extremist ideology and actions on the stability of Syria, neighbouring countries and the region, with a devastating humanitarian impact on the civilian populations. They stressed that all Member States shall fully comply with their obligations under resolution 2178 (2014).
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and stressed that those responsible for these terrorist attacks should be held accountable.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).
The members of the Security Council expressed their full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and underscored the need for the full implementation of the Munich Statement of the International Syria Support Group of 11 February 2016, the United Nations Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), the Vienna Statements of 30 October and 14 November 2015 and the 2012 Geneva communiqué.
The members of the Security Council also called for the resumption of negotiations between the parties under the auspices of the United Nations as soon as possible and for allowing immediate humanitarian assistance to reach all people in need, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Syria.