Lavrov: ‘Unacceptable’ to Divide Terrorists Into ‘Good and Bad Ones’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the High Level Segment of the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Some members of the UN Human Rights Council aren’t ready to condemn the international terrorism under the pretext of upholding the freedom of speech, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that the international community shouldn’t divide terrorists on “good and bad ones.”

“Some members of the UN Human Rights Council aren’t ready to condemn the international terrorism in all its forms and aspects under the pretext of the freedom of speech.

We consider it inadmissible to divide terrorists into good and bad ones, especially when it’s done, depending on their aims and financing sources,” Lavrov said, Sputnik reported.

“Russia continues to fight this vicious practice of double standards and supports the Syrian army in its move to destroy terrorism,” Lavrov added.

On Escalation in Eastern Ghouta

Speaking about the situation in Syria, the head of the Russian foreign ministry said that militants in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta were hindering the supply of humanitarian aid to the area as well as the evacuation of civilians by continuing shelling Damascus.

“The people of Syria today face the direst humanitarian crisis. UN Security Council Resolution 2401 has established a framework for all parties to agree upon conditions to alleviate the plight of civilians throughout the territory of the country. Russia together with the Syrian Government has already announced the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Eastern Ghouta. Now it is the turn to act for militants entrenched there, who still continue shelling Damascus, blocking aid deliveries and the evacuation of those wishing to leave, as well as for their sponsors,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov continued by saying that Russia was urging the US-led international coalition to ensure humanitarian access to the areas in Syria under its control, including Rukban refugee camp and the area surrounding al-Tanf.

“We call upon the members of so-called American coalition to ensure the same humanitarian access to the areas in Syria under their control, including the Rukban refugee camp and the entire territory surrounding al-Tanf,” Lavrov said at the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The situation in Eastern Ghouta escalated after Syrian government forces launched an operation on February 18 codenamed “Damascus Steel,” in a bid to clear the region of militants. According to the Russian military, the terrorist groups in the region are intentionally struggling to escalate the situation in East Ghouta, preventing civilians from leaving the area and provoking retaliatory fights against the Syrian government.

M.Wassouf