Statement in Explanation of Vote after the vote on the General Assembly Resolution on Syria

Aug 03,2012

Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the floor.

2. Since the last meeting of the General Assembly on this agenda item, the situation in Syria has steadily deteriorated. Neither side has implemented its obligations under the six-point plan of Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan, which was endorsed by Security Council resolutions 2042 and 2043.

The conflict has got increasingly more militarized and a number of terrorist acts have been committed against state institutions and public infrastructure. There have been gross violations of human rights by all sides. The humanitarian situation has also become dire, and more than two million Syrians are said to be in need of humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, the Syrian parties, instead of seriously commencing a Syrian-led political process, have pursued a military approach to realize their objectives.

3. We strongly condemn all violence and violations of human rights irrespective of who their perpetrators are. We also condemn in the strongest terms possible the terrorist acts that have been and continue to be committed in Syria. We call upon all parties to dissociate themselves from terrorist groups and ensure that no space is provided for those groups.

4. Mr. President, under the prevailing circumstances in Syria, there is an urgent need for the international community to close ranks and send a united message to the Syrian parties to walk back from their military approach and resolve the crisis through an inclusive Syrian-led political process. There is no other way to bring about a sustained cessation of violence in all its forms by all parties. This is also the only way to end human rights violations and create an atmosphere for safe and unhindered delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.

5. Mr. President, we have consistently called for international efforts to assist the Syrian parties to resolve the crisis and bring about peace through dialogue and political processes. Accordingly, we have strongly supported the efforts of Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan. Even though Mr. Annan has resigned, it is important to note that his efforts have put in place a set of valuable documents, which, if implemented, can facilitate a political resolution of the Syrian crisis without any further bloodshed.

6. In order to assist the Syrian parties change their course and address the crisis through political dialogue, it is important that all parties, inside and outside Syria, fully abide by their obligations under resolutions 2042 and 2043. The parties must be prevailed upon to implement the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the Final Communiqué issued at Geneva on 30 June, which have been accepted by the Government of Syria.

7. Mr. President, India firmly believes that it is critical for the United Nations to remain strongly involved with the Syrian parties and other actors in the search for a way forward. Unilateral action of any kind will not resolve the crisis. It will only exacerbate the problem and cause greater instability and violence. We also believe that the leadership of Syria is for Syrians to decide through a democratic process. The task of the international community, anchored in the United Nations, is to assist the Syrian parties in this process.

8. Mr. President, the resolution that the General Assembly has adopted today makes specific reference to the decision of the League of Arab States of 22 July 2012. Though we do not hold any brief for nay particular Syrian leader, we cannot welcome the League of Arab States resolution of 22 July 2012, which openly called for President Assad to step down from power and for other UN members to severe diplomatic relations and contacts with Syria. It is unfortunate that this element of the present resolution was not removed, and hence we have abstained from the resolution today.

I thank you.