By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch News Reporter, The Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution that paves the way for an international peace process for the Syrian conflict. The peace process includes a ceasefire, talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups, as well as a plan to unify the government. Talks of Assad, however, were missing from the discussion.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution for the Syrian Conflict. (Photo Courtesy of The New York Times)

Western allies determined prior to the meeting, that bringing Assad to justice was a lower priority then ending the Syrian conflict. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stated, “If there’s justice in the world, Bashar Assad will end up in the Hague. Whether that is going to happen is another question. The moral answer is to end the killing now.”

Human rights advocates, on the other hand, believe this way of thinking is dangerous. Stephen Rapp, President Obama’s former Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, stated, “The idea that you can go forward [with a peace settlement] without accountability is impossible.”

John Kerry, United State’s Secretary of State, when discussing Assad’s fate with reporters after the Council meeting on Friday, stated, “This is not being kicked down the road; it’s actually being timed out.”

Human Rights Watch released a report, two days before the United Nations Security Council meeting, which details the atrocities that occurred under Assad’s control. The report contains 28,000 photos of the deaths of hundreds of people who had been under the government’s custody. Most of the deaths are believed to be as a result of torture, and Human Rights Watch is calling for an investigation and prosecution of the crimes.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Assad’s forces have been responsible for many other atrocities including bombing civilian areas indiscriminately, using nerve agents and chlorine gas against non-combatants, and the use of barrel bombs.

Part of the passed resolution requires an election to take place within 18 months of the political talks. However, there was no mention of whether Assad will be allowed to run in the new elections, as the Russians and Iranians blocked any attempt to discuss the issue. The election process will be under the guidance of the United Nations, which would make it difficult for Assad to control the vote, and also requires all Syrians to vote, even “members of the diaspora.”

Sergey V. Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, stated, “We should try avoiding the mistakes we have made.” He continued, “Only the Syrian people are going to decide their own future. That also covers the future of the Syrian president.”

Assad was not in attendance at the United Nations Security Council meeting.

For more information, please see:

CNN – U.N. Security Council Approves Peace Plan for Syria – 19 December 2015

Reuters – U.N. Endorses Syria Peace Plan in Rate Show of Unity Among Big Powers – 19 December 2015

ABC News – ‘Agreement’ on UN Draft on Syria, but No Mention of Assad – 18 December 2015

The New York Times – After Years of War in Syria, U.N. Passes Resolution on Talks – 18 December 2015

Politico – Cozy Retirement for Assad Looks Likely as Syria Peace Talks Convene – 17 December 2015

Author: Impunity Watch Archive