Syrian Coalition Condemns Russia's Veto; Urges Int’l Community to Take Action

Press release

Syrian Coalition

Media Department

October 25, 2017

The Syrian Coalition strongly condemns Russia's use of its veto power on the UN Security Council on Tuesday preventing the renewal of the mandate for the United Nations-Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) just a day before the joint mission release its findings on chemical attacks in Syria.

It is the ninth time Russia has used its veto power at the UN Security Council to hinder international action on Syria in an attempt to shield perpetrators from answering for their actions. The Russian position risks opening the door to a world in which war criminals commit crimes without any fear of the consequences.

The Russian veto aimed at obstructing JIM’s efforts is a tacit admission of Assad's total and direct responsibility for the crime of using chemical weapons in Syria as was the case every time Russia used its veto to shield the Assad regime and give it more time to kill and displace more Syrian civilians.

Russia's full responsibility for the current situation makes it imperative that the rest members of the international community take action and shoulder their responsibilities to maintain international peace and security and free the Syrian people and the world from the terrorist Assad regime which has long ruled the Syrian people with the use of iron and fire.