Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UNGA plenary meeting to hear the 9-th report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011

Mr. President, Distinguished delegates,

I wish to thank Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, Catherine Marchi Uhel, for the presentation of the Mechanism’s ninth report, and for her and her team’s dedication and commitment to make the Mechanism achieve its goals. Ukraine has been one of active IIIM supporters from the inception of the idea of its establishment and follows its progress.

As we align ourselves with the statement delivered by the European Union, I would like to add the a few remarks in my national capacity.

The international community must do whatever it can to stop the suffering of the people of the Syrian Arab Republic. Ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes committed in Syria since the beginning of the bloody conflict is not only a core demand stemming from the universal rule of law, but a moral obligation of the international community towards ensuring justice for victims. Impunity breeds and rewards criminality and violence.

Ensuring accountability for the perpetrators of grave violations and abuses as well as bringing justice to the victims are key steps for reconciliation and sustainable peace, which should be based on a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

As one of co-sponsors of the Mechanism back in 2016, my delegation remains strongly convinced that the IIIM is absolutely necessary and highly relevant. At a time of a deadlock in the Security Council, the wider international community must think about the way forward for ensuring accountability for those who committed and are committing massive, systematic and widespread crimes on the Syrian soil.

With this in mind, Ukraine echoes the call of a number of delegations to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

In this vein, Ukraine endorses recommendations presented in the report, seeking to build upon the Mechanism’s cooperation with the United Nations, Member States and the civil society.

We also commend the important work of Independent International Commission of Inquiry, the OPWC Investigation and Identification Team as well as the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons in ensuring the documentation of all the facts related with the crimes committed by the Assad regime and its allies.

Mr. President,

Ukraine's demand for justice is high. Be it Triple IM for Syria or Special Tribunal for aggression against Ukraine - we stand firm for bringing justice to the Victims of the Most Serious Crimes under International Law. We call on the Member States to support the establishment of the Special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Thank you, Mr. President