The Syrian Coalition Participates in the UN Human Rights Council Debates

Media Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

June 05, 2013

Geneva (6/4/2013): A delegation from the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces is currently in Geneva and is meeting with a number of member states of the Human Rights Council in regards to the deteriorating situation of human rights in Syria and the latest report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria . The Syrian Coalition's delegation reiterated the following fundamental points throughout the meetings:

The Syrian Coalition's most recent invitation to the International Commission of Inquiry to enter the liberated areas of Syria, exercise its mission and fulfill its mandate.

The Syrian Coalition's unshaken commitment to ending impunity and holding any violators of human rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) accountable. The Coalition has been demonstrating such commitment through a number of efforts, the most recent of which is an awareness raising campaign for Free Syrian Army soldiers called: "Fighter, not Killer." This campaign is accompanied by several training sessions on IHL and other related issues. The campaign was launched in cooperation with a number of international and local human rights organizations, while maintaining the Syrian cultural context.

The Syrian Coalition's call to refer the Syria file to the International Criminal Court, conveying the unequivocal message to the world that any political settlement that may take place in the future cannot be at the expense of innocent Syrian civilians. A political settlement must be based on the principles of justice and accountability for those who have committed crimes – not impunity.