Sabbagh calls for putting an end to the politicization of humanitarian work in Syria

NEW YORK, (ST)_ Syria’s permanent representative to the UN Bassam Sabbagh has argued that Syria’s cooperation and the facilities it offered in the humanitarian field have helped realize tangible achievements despite challenges related to combating terrorism and the negative impacts of coercive measures in addition to acts of aggression and occupation.

 

“Throughout the years of crisis , Syria has cooperated seriously and constructively with the UN and friendly countries and humanitarian partners, mainly the Syrian Red Crescent and more than 50 foreign NGOs that are licensed  to work in Syria, Sabbagh said  in a speech during UN Security council session via video.

 

Sabbagh added that the politicization of the humanitarian issue in Syria increases the suffering of the people of Syria, affirming that reports presented to the UN Security Council do not go in line with the standards of work and allow some member states to use these reports as tool to politicize humanitarian issue and to distract attention from  the causes of the retreat of the humanitarian situation in Syria.

 

“Reports or briefings that have been submitted to the UN Security council remain full of faults as long as they turn a blind eye to the crimes committed by terrorist organizations in Syria,” Sabbagh said.

 

He affirmed that the unilateral, coercive measures being imposed on the country prevent the Syrians from getting their basic livelihood needs.

 

“These illegitimate measures represent a flagrant violation of the international law and collective punishment to the Syrians, and this is recognized by the UN itself,” sabbagh asserted.

 

He went on to say that the Turkish regime goes on Turkification of the region it occupies in north Syria and provides protection for terrorist organizations to desecrate properties, loot oil fields and agriculture crops.

 

Sabbagh added that the US occupation and the separatist “ Syrian Democratic Forces” militias still steal Syria’s resources, smuggle them to outside the country and hinder humanitarian access to al-Rukban camp.

 

He called for pressing western countries that reject the return of their terrorists with families from Syria and stop disavowal from their legal obligations and responsibilities.

 

Sabbagh stressed that Improving humanitarian situation in Syria requires commitment to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

“Syria calls once again to end politicization of the humanitarian work and put an end to the attempts of imposing dictates and the attempts of hindering the Syrian state’s efforts in developmental and humanitarian fields,” Sabbagh concluded.

 

Basma Qaddour