October 30, 2024

During their visit to New York, the delegation from the Syrian Negotiation Commission met with Mr. Tomoyuki Hanami, the First Secretary responsible for political affairs at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. The delegation underscored the urgent need for the international community to exert pressure on the Syrian regime to implement UN Resolution 2254, which outlines the framework for a political solution in Syria. They emphasized that the continued obstruction of this process exacerbates the ongoing crisis and deepens the humanitarian tragedy in the country.

The delegation provided an overview of the current regional and international landscapes, highlighting the regime’s maneuvers aimed at delaying political progress. They articulated the significant repercussions of this stalling on the Syrian population and neighboring countries, warning that the ongoing instability could lead to increased displacement, poverty, and insecurity unless a political solution is initiated and international resolutions are enforced rigorously.

Comprising key figures such as Tarek Al-Kurdi, the head of the legal office, and Alise Mufarraj, the head of the Detainees Committee, the delegation expressed hope that Japan would play an active role in international efforts to facilitate the political solution. They recognized Japan’s vital position as a member of the UN Security Council, which enables it to contribute meaningfully to this endeavor. Additionally, they conveyed their hope that Japan would extend humanitarian assistance to all Syrians, particularly those in northwest Syria, who are facing dire conditions and have urgent needs that current aid efforts are insufficient to address.

The discussions encompassed a range of political, legal, and humanitarian topics, with a particular focus on the necessity of providing robust support for Syrian refugees and ensuring their protection. The delegation highlighted the severe risks refugees face if forcibly returned to Syria under the current circumstances, especially in the absence of a political solution. They also addressed the critical issue of detainees, detailing the commission’s collaborative efforts with international and human rights organizations to secure the release of detainees and to clarify the fate of the tens of thousands who have been forcibly disappeared.

In closing, the delegation reiterated that all humanitarian issues are fundamentally intertwined with the political solution, emphasizing the imperative to achieve this solution in alignment with international resolutions, particularly the Geneva Statement and UN Resolutions 2118 and 2254.