25.03.2025 Statement by the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UNSC briefing on Syria

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First of all, I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for your informative and timely briefings.

I would also like to thank you, Ms Seif, for your valuable briefing.

 

Your voice – and the voice of Syrian civil society – is central to our discussions and to the Syrian political transition.

 

Excellencies,

This month marked fourteen years since the beginning of the Syrian revolution.

 

Fourteen years since peaceful civilian protests were met with brutal violence.

 

Since then, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been tortured and killed, and millions forced to flee.

 

Last December finally marked a turning point.

 

After years of strife under the Assad regime, the people of Syria now face an opportunity to build a better future.

 

At the same time, the situation in Syria is fragile.

 

Just this month, we witnessed violent attacks, with hundreds of civilians killed, including through summary executions.

 

We of course condemn the widespread killing of civilians in the strongest possible terms.

 

There can be no impunity for these crimes. We positively note the interim government’s establishment of an investigative committee. Implementation will now be key.

 

The interim government must protect Syrians - from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.

 

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Syria is at a critical juncture, as the Special Envoy also emphasized. And now is the time to act.

 

Around this table, we must all do what we can to help lay the groundwork for a brighter future for the Syrian people.

 

The path will be long. And there will be setbacks. But we owe it to the millions of Syrians – who have suffered too much for too long – to give our best effort.

 

Colleagues, with this determination in mind, allow me to make four points.

 

First,

 

We call for a credible, inclusive, and transparent Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process. One that is in line with the principles of Resolution 2254 of this Council.

 

And when we say inclusive, we mean it. We mean inclusiveness.

 

Syrian society, in all its complexity and diversity, must be represented.

 

As we heard from Ms Seif this morning, Syria’s women must be able to participate in the political transition process – from civil society to the political level.

 

They represent half the population; and experience shows that women’s participation in peace processes creates more lasting peace and stability.

 

We take note of the temporary constitutional declaration and hope it will move Syria towards an inclusive transition. All segments of Syrian society should be safeguarded by the constitution.

 

Second,

 

Accountability and justice for victims of the Assad-regime and the civil war is vital.

 

It is key that any transitional justice process is led and owned by the Syrian people. The UN stands ready to support. The process should be transparent and impartial.

 

And also in this process, women play a key role. There are skilled Syrian women lawyers, judges, and transitional justice experts – just like Ms Seif. Their knowledge and expertise are most needed.

 

The transitional justice process must be open to all Syrians.

 

It will be a difficult but essential step towards healing.

 

Third,

 

To achieve these goals, the international community needs to support Syria at this critical stage.

 

The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. The fall of the Assad regime has done little to help Syria’s devastated economy.

 

70 percent of the population is deemed to be in need of humanitarian assistance. Nine out of ten live in poverty.

 

In February, we in the European Union suspended a number of sanctions against Syria. We did so in order to send a clear signal to the Syrian people of our support towards a better future.

 

We will continue to follow the situation and adjust our policies accordingly. And we will continue to provide much needed humanitarian and development assistance to the Syrian people.

 

Fourth and finally,

 

In order to achieve positive change, Syria needs to be safe and Syria needs to be stable.

 

This requires respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

 

In this regard, we welcome the dialogue and agreements between the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

 

And likewise, we welcome the dialogue and agreements reached with Druze communities.

 

UNDOF plays an important role in maintaining stability in the occupied Golan Heights and UNDOF should be allowed to have full freedom of movement

 

We call for the full implementation of the 1974-agreement between Syria and Israel, and for all parties to respect Resolution 350 of this Council.

 

Accordingly, Israel must redraw from the area of separation. The Syrian armed forces must provide security to all Syrians – regardless of sect and background. And continue to combat and counter terrorism.

 

We cannot allow ISIL to re-emerge.

 

All actors must assist the new Syrian leadership in combatting terrorism.

 

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To conclude,

 

Syrians have a unique opportunity to build a new future.

 

A free Syria for all Syrians regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.

 

Their struggle has been incredibly tough and incredibly long.

 

And Denmark, I just want to assure you, stands with the Syrian people.

 

We will continue to support them through this next chapter.

 

We encourage all members of this Council to do the same.

 

Thank you.

 

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