08.01.2025 Statement by Denmark at the Security Council meeting on Syria
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Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary-General Fletcher for their briefings and also for their strong engagement on this file in the past intense week.
Exactly one month ago, a new day dawned in Syria. The world watched, in astonishment, as the fall of the Assad regime inspired hope in millions of Syrians.
The hope of a bright and just future for all Syrians to live in freedom and dignity. A future in which the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria is upheld.
Denmark shares that same hope and stands firmly in solidarity with the Syrian people, who for more than half a century, suffered under a brutal dictatorship.
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Mr. President, there are many facets of this new and developing situation, but let me focus on four:
First, the humanitarian crisis in Syria remains extremely dire. As we have heard from the USG this morning, even reports of more aid coming in, the combination of winter weather and severe underfunding of the humanitarian response plan leaves millions of Syrians lacking basic means to survive.
Denmark has scaled up our funding for Syria, and we urge all donors to the same.
Aid deliveries through all possible means must continue and increase. Humanitarian access to and through areas affected by the conflict must also be ensured.
We thank Switzerland for its tireless efforts as the humanitarian penholder on this file and assure the Council of Denmark’s steadfast commitment to improving the humanitarian situation across Syria, as we take over this role.
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Second, Mr President,
Only with justice can the deep scars of more than a decade of violence begin to heal.
Images of torture prisons and mass graves highlight the need for accountability for the crimes of the Assad regime.
For far too long, families of missing persons have agonised, the whereabouts of their loved ones unknown. Certainty about the thousands of disappeared Syrians must be established.
Denmark fully supports the Commission of Inquiry, the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism – the IIIM.
We welcome the interim authorities’ call to provide justice for the thousands of torture victims of the Assad regime, and encourage them to launch a broad and inclusive transitional justice process.
As an immediate measure, we urge the interim authorities to promptly secure all evidence of crimes found in prisons, government offices, and archives and ensure that they can be preserved for future proceedings.
We welcome the UN Commission of Inquiry’s first visit to Syria and call for the interim authorities to cooperate with the Commission.
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Mr. President, my third point relates to the security situation.
Denmark commends the efforts undertaken to deescalate the violence inside Syria, including between the SNA and the SDF. De-escalation is the first step on the path to political dialogue.
Denmark also underscores the importance of the continued fight against terrorism. Terrorist groups such as ISIL/Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates should not be allowed to take advantage of the situation and regain momentum. Denmark has been committed to combatting ISIL since the group’s emergence. We remain vigilant in hindering a resurgence in ISIL attacks in the region and globally.
Denmark reiterates its full support of UNDOF and underlines that Israel must withdraw from the Area of Separation. While we recognise legitimate Israeli security concerns, UNDOF must be allowed to move freely and implement its mandate unhindered. We urge all parties to comply with their obligations in that regard.
Our overarching goal must be a safe and secure Syria. To achieve that, we need to scale up long-term and sustainable support for early recovery. This can help consolidate and expand the security gains made and mark the beginning of a new era, with a safe Syria, where those who choose to return home receive the support they need.
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Finally, Mr. President, at this critical time in Syria, an inclusive political process must be front of mind for all of us.
Denmark fully supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process in the spirit of Security Council resolution 2254. It is paramount that the Council remains united in this regard.
Let me be clear. Inclusive peace leads to durable peace.
The political process must incorporate all parts of the Syrian society. In particular, Syrian women must be in the room and at the table when the future of their country is shaped.
This is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Because as the Special Envoy said this morning, Syrian women have much to contribute with. Likewise, we call for the representation of youth and minorities.
Denmark fully supports the work of Special Envoy Pedersen and his call for inclusive political dialogue. We encourage the interim government to heed this call and urge them to share a clear road map for a credible and inclusive transition. That includes the build-up of institutions and drafting a new constitution on the basis of a broad national dialogue.
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Mr. President, in closing,
The challenges facing Syria are great, they are interconnected, but they are not insurmountable.
Recent developments offer a rare opportunity for peace. Peace for a country which has endured far too much violence, over far too long. The past 13 years have been heart-breaking, but now there is a chance for a new beginning. It is incumbent upon all actors, including this Council, to seize this opportunity.
Colleagues,
This is a chance that simply cannot be missed.
Denmark is fully committed to working to this end. To support a Syrian-led political process that includes all parts of Syrian society that paves the way to a peaceful and stable future for all Syrians.
Thank you.
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