General Assembly ‘Prevention of Armed Conflict’: Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries
Introduction of the ninth report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM) General Assembly, agenda item ‘Prevention of Armed Conflict’. Read the Statement delivered by Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, on behalf of the Nordic Countries on April 25th, 2023, in New York.
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland.
Mr. President,
The horrifying violence in Syria has ensued over the past 12 years. Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives or disappeared. Thousands more have been subject to torture, rape, or other forms of cruel and degrading treatment. Many died or suffered from the use of chemical weapons. Millions have fled their homes. Homes have been left in ruins.
Countless atrocities have reportedly been committed during the protracted conflict, by all parties. The Nordic countries continue to hold that the Syrian government bears the main responsibility for many of the flagrant violations of international law.
Mr. President,
Accountability for serious violations of international law, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, is a precondition for a sustainable peace. Perpetrators of atrocity crimes must be brought to justice. This is necessary to ensure justice for victims, but also to prevent and deter future violations. Ensuring accountability is also an integral part of our obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law.
We must not let impunity reign in Syria.
Mr. President,
Accountability rests on evidence. The IIIM as an independent and impartial investigative mechanism has a mandate to collect evidence of the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria since March 2011, irrespective of the perpetrator. The Mechanism also conducts its own targeted investigations to fill in gaps in the evidence collection.
I wish to thank the Head of IIIM, Madame Marchi-Uhel, for presenting the latest report of the Mechanism to the General Assembly today. The report shows clearly that the Mechanism continues to make progress and deliver on its vital mandate.
The Nordic countries highly appreciate all the work undertaken by the Mechanism. We welcome the Mechanism’s victim/survivor-centered approach and its close cooperation with civil society. Both are vital to advancing inclusive justice.
The Mechanism has built an extensive cooperation with other parts of the UN System, the OPCW, as well as civil society. The Mechanism continues to support and collaborate with an increasing number of States that are conducting criminal investigations or trials under the principle of universal jurisdiction.
The Nordic countries welcome the efforts undertaken by many States to close the accountability gap in Syria through their national jurisdiction. However, given the magnitude of the crimes documented in Syria, the international community should work together towards a longer-term and holistic solution to bring justice for victims. In this regard, we also reiterate our call to the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.
Mr. President,
The Nordic countries believe that justice is an integral component of sustainable peace. Impunity for the atrocities committed in Syria has thus far hindered conflict resolution efforts. We reiterate our full support to UN Syria Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in his dedicated efforts to proceed with Step-for-Step peace initiative. The Constitutional Committee has to resume its work and move forward on substance. A results-oriented political process with engagement of all actors is urgently needed.
Mr. President,
The IIIM cannot fully perform without collaboration with Member States. We call on all States to cooperate with the Mechanism in information sharing and provide it the operational support necessary.
The work of the IIIM necessitates sustainable and predictable resources. The Nordic countries remain convinced that this can only be guaranteed through adequate funding from the UN Programme budget. Voluntary funding is also necessary to support the Mechanism, but cannot replace assessed contributions. We call on all Member States to ensure that the Mechanism has the necessary resources to carry out its vitally important mandate.
To conclude, Mr. President, the Nordic countries remain fully committed to the IIIM and its mandate.
I thank you.