October 29, 2024

The Syrian Negotiation Commission delegation, currently visiting New York, held a significant meeting with Ms. Kim Nisson, the humanitarian affairs officer at the European Union Mission to the United Nations, and Mr. Quentin Wheeler, the political affairs officer at the mission. The discussions focused on the latest developments in the Middle East and their implications for the Syrian political process, highlighting the urgent need to advance this process in line with United Nations resolutions, which are crucial for fostering peace in the region.

Attending the meeting were Tarek Al-Kurdi, head of the legal office at the commission; Alise Mufarraj, head of the detainees committee; and Fadwa Ojily, a commission member. The delegation expressed deep concerns regarding the Syrian regime’s ongoing obstruction of the political solution and its attempts to exploit the crises faced by Syrian and Lebanese refugees for its own economic and political advantage. They condemned the regime’s refusal to implement international resolutions and its efforts to pursue individual normalization processes outside the oversight of the international community, aiming to circumvent the political solution outlined in international resolutions, particularly UN Resolution 2254.

The delegation members called for an urgent increase in humanitarian and relief assistance for all Syrians, especially in northwestern Syria, where living conditions are dire. They emphasized the critical need to improve the region’s circumstances and the lives of its inhabitants, as well as the necessity of bolstering support for the education, healthcare, and essential services sectors, alongside humanitarian aid.

Additionally, the discussion addressed the plight of Syrian refugees returning from Lebanon, focusing on the significant risks they face, the extremely poor living conditions they endure, and their fears of arrest and security summonses. The delegation stressed the importance of ensuring a minimum standard of dignified living and safety for these individuals.

Furthermore, the issue of detainees and those forcibly disappeared was highlighted, with a strong call for international efforts to resolve this critical matter. The delegation urged for the immediate release of all detainees held by the Syrian regime and for clarity regarding the fate of all individuals who have been forcibly disappeared.