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Stronger Action Required on Syria, Aid Chief Warns Stronger Action Required on Syria, Aid Chief Warns
(4 months later)
UNITED NATIONS — When the Security Council passed a legally binding resolution two months ago to provide relief to Syrians trapped behind front lines, Western delegates pledged “further steps” if the warring parties blocked aid deliveries by United Nations agencies. They specifically warned the Syrian government about its use of barrel bombs, the improvised mix of shrapnel and explosives that aircraft crews have dropped on civilian areas to devastating effect. UNITED NATIONS — When the Security Council passed a legally binding resolution two months ago to provide relief to Syrians trapped behind front lines, Western delegates pledged “further steps” if the warring parties blocked aid deliveries by United Nations agencies. They specifically warned the Syrian government about its use of barrel bombs, the improvised mix of shrapnel and explosives that aircraft crews have dropped on civilian areas to devastating effect.
On Wednesday, after a barrel bomb fell on a school in the Syrian city of Aleppo, killing at least 20 people, the emergency relief coordinator of the United Nations, Valerie Amos, said that the resolution had failed to bring relief to Syrians in need. “I think the onus rests on the Council to not only recognize that reality, but to act on it,” Ms. Amos said after briefing the Council.On Wednesday, after a barrel bomb fell on a school in the Syrian city of Aleppo, killing at least 20 people, the emergency relief coordinator of the United Nations, Valerie Amos, said that the resolution had failed to bring relief to Syrians in need. “I think the onus rests on the Council to not only recognize that reality, but to act on it,” Ms. Amos said after briefing the Council.
The French ambassador to the United Nations, Gérard Araud, addressed the news media after the meeting and acknowledged that the Council was deadlocked. A stronger measure authorizing United Nations agencies to deliver aid without the consent of the Syrian government, he said, would invite a veto from Russia, which is Syria’s principal ally on the Council.The French ambassador to the United Nations, Gérard Araud, addressed the news media after the meeting and acknowledged that the Council was deadlocked. A stronger measure authorizing United Nations agencies to deliver aid without the consent of the Syrian government, he said, would invite a veto from Russia, which is Syria’s principal ally on the Council.
“There is an overwhelming feeling we have to now do something, even though the certainty of a veto looms large,” another Council diplomat said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.“There is an overwhelming feeling we have to now do something, even though the certainty of a veto looms large,” another Council diplomat said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The Russian Mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.The Russian Mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
The developments sum up the difficulties the Council faces in trying to deliver food and medicine to Syria, let alone in trying to end the war. Peace talks fell apart in February after the parties were unable to agree on an agenda. The United Nations mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, has said that continuing the talks will be futile if President Bashar al-Assad of Syria runs for re-election, which the leader said this week he would do.The developments sum up the difficulties the Council faces in trying to deliver food and medicine to Syria, let alone in trying to end the war. Peace talks fell apart in February after the parties were unable to agree on an agenda. The United Nations mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, has said that continuing the talks will be futile if President Bashar al-Assad of Syria runs for re-election, which the leader said this week he would do.
And even as Syria continues to export most of its chemical weapons arsenal for destruction under United Nations supervision, the country has been accused of using bombs filled with chlorine, a potentially fatal industrial poison that is not on the list of prohibited substances.And even as Syria continues to export most of its chemical weapons arsenal for destruction under United Nations supervision, the country has been accused of using bombs filled with chlorine, a potentially fatal industrial poison that is not on the list of prohibited substances.
The situation today is in sharp contrast to the mood in the Security Council two months ago, when Syria’s supporters and critics on the Council congratulated themselves for having passed the resolution on aid. The Feb. 22 measure asks the Syrian government to authorize the entry of aid convoys into the country, although it does not compel the Syrian government to do so.The situation today is in sharp contrast to the mood in the Security Council two months ago, when Syria’s supporters and critics on the Council congratulated themselves for having passed the resolution on aid. The Feb. 22 measure asks the Syrian government to authorize the entry of aid convoys into the country, although it does not compel the Syrian government to do so.
The United Nations contends that the delivery of humanitarian relief is subject to the approval of the Syrian authorities. Dozens of prominent academics and lawyers, however, including a former chief legal counsel of the United Nations, challenged that view in an open letter published in newspapers this week.The United Nations contends that the delivery of humanitarian relief is subject to the approval of the Syrian authorities. Dozens of prominent academics and lawyers, however, including a former chief legal counsel of the United Nations, challenged that view in an open letter published in newspapers this week.
Ms. Amos, the emergency relief coordinator, said that the United Nations had been able to reach fewer than 10 percent of the estimated 242,000 people living in areas besieged by fighting, and that its agencies had not received permission to enter Syrian territory from several border crossings. A further 216,015 people lack access to medical supplies, according to a report prepared for the Council last week.Ms. Amos, the emergency relief coordinator, said that the United Nations had been able to reach fewer than 10 percent of the estimated 242,000 people living in areas besieged by fighting, and that its agencies had not received permission to enter Syrian territory from several border crossings. A further 216,015 people lack access to medical supplies, according to a report prepared for the Council last week.
The resolution specifically called for an end to the use of barrel bombs, but since its passage, there have been 85 episodes involving barrel bombs in Syria, including the one in Aleppo on Wednesday, according to a tally by Human Rights Watch.The resolution specifically called for an end to the use of barrel bombs, but since its passage, there have been 85 episodes involving barrel bombs in Syria, including the one in Aleppo on Wednesday, according to a tally by Human Rights Watch.
France has raised the possibility of referring Syria to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Another option would be to propose a resolution that would authorize United Nations agencies to deliver aid inside Syria without the consent of the government in Damascus. Diplomats said such a resolution would most likely require language citing Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which allows for military intervention to enforce Security Council demands.France has raised the possibility of referring Syria to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Another option would be to propose a resolution that would authorize United Nations agencies to deliver aid inside Syria without the consent of the government in Damascus. Diplomats said such a resolution would most likely require language citing Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which allows for military intervention to enforce Security Council demands.
Ms. Amos told reporters that she had reminded the closed-door session that the Council had invoked Chapter VII in resolutions passed more than 20 years ago to provide for humanitarian access to Bosnia.Ms. Amos told reporters that she had reminded the closed-door session that the Council had invoked Chapter VII in resolutions passed more than 20 years ago to provide for humanitarian access to Bosnia.
At the time, Samantha Power, who is now the American ambassador to the United Nations, was a reporter covering the conflict in the Balkans.At the time, Samantha Power, who is now the American ambassador to the United Nations, was a reporter covering the conflict in the Balkans.