By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
RIYADH, Saudi Arabi – Saudia Arabia, Turkey and Qatar have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to deal with the growing evidence of Syrian war crimes. The request was made in a letter to the U.N. General Assembly dated February 7.
“U.N. officials have been repeatedly expressing their frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress in addressing the grave humanitarian situation and growing body of evidence pointing to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the request said.
It also expressed frustration with the lack of implementation of U.N. sanctions required by “the Security Council presidential statement date Oct. 2, 2013,” which is “unacceptable.”
The request was sent directly to President of the U.N. General Assembly John Ashe. Ashe will reply to the request after consulting other U.N. members including the Security Council.
The letter also cited the Syrian parties inability to reach a long-term agreement during the first round of peace talks in Geneva.
“Although the parties agreed to reconvene in Geneva on Feb. 10 of 2014 for the second round of talks, the inability to reach an agreement in the first round to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people is an urgent issue of serious concern for the international community.”
The Syrian delegation arrived in Switzerland on Sunday ahead of this week’s peace talks. The request for an emergency meeting may increase pressure on both sides to reach an agreement.
On February 7, the Syria government and opposition agreed to a three-day ceasefire in Homs to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city. Reportedly, 600 residents, including elderly men, women and children, were placed on buses and removed from the combat zone. Syria’s Red Crescent delivered food and medical aid to the areas of the city under rebel control.
However, the cease fire agreement has been broken several times. Eleven people were killed during operations conducted by the U.N. and Syria’s Red Crescent. The emergency vehicles also had difficulty entering and traveling throughout the city. Despite the violence, the cease was extended for another three days on Monday.
For further information, please see:
Inquisitr – Saudi Arabia Calls Emergency UN Meeting On Syrian War Crimes – 10 February 2014
CNN – Cease-fire in Syrian city of Homs extended for another three days: U.N. – 10 February 2014
Kuwait News Agency – S. Arabia, Qatar, Turkey ask GA President to convene urgent meeting on Syria – 10 February 2014
Al Aribiya – Saudi Arabia calls for urgent U.N. meeting on Syria – 9 February 2014
