Syrian conflict parties prevented access to earthquake-affected areas, says UN inquiry

(MENAFN) The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry has reported that parties to the Syrian conflict prevented access to areas affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the region on February 5. The commission stated that in the months leading up to the earthquake, parties to the conflict in Syria had "widely violated and abused human rights," continuing a 10-year pattern of disregard for the safety of Syrian citizens. The commission launched its latest report on the country's crisis at a briefing in Geneva.

The commission emphasized that in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, it took the Syrian Government a full week to consent to life-saving cross-border aid access. According to the report, the Syrian regime and opposition both impeded cross-line aid to affected communities, while the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al Sham in northwestern Syria refused cross-line aid from Damascus. The commission stressed that the government and the international community, including the United Nations, failed to rapidly direct life-saving support to Syrians in the most dire need, despite many acts of heroism amid the suffering.

Chair of the commission, Paulo Pinheiro, said Syrians now need a comprehensive ceasefire that is fully respected, for civilians including aid workers to be safe. Due to the cruelty and cynicism of parties to the conflict, the commission is now investigating fresh attacks even in the very areas devastated by the earthquakes, he added. The report highlights the need for parties to the conflict to respect human rights, provide aid access, and prioritize the safety and well-being of Syrian citizens. The international community must act swiftly to address the ongoing crisis and prevent further suffering.

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