The Urgent Imperative: UN General Assembly Must Support Cross-Border Humanitarian Aid Mechanism for North-West Syria

UN General Assembly Must Condemn Russia’s Abuse of Veto Power, Amnesty International Urges

Background

Amnesty International has called on UN member states to unequivocally condemn Russia’s abuse of its veto power and to affirm the legality, impartiality, neutrality, and independence of the cross-border aid mechanism for north-west Syria. This comes after the UN Security Council’s failure to renew the aid mechanism, which expired on 10 July after Russia vetoed its renewal. The mechanism is crucial for delivering aid and services to the four million people living in north-west Syria who rely on UN assistance for survival.

Denouncing Russia’s Veto

Amnesty International urges UN member states to publicly call out Russia’s abuse of veto power and highlight the real-life consequences of such political games. The organization emphasizes that both Russia and China are aware of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in north-west Syria, yet they continue to obstruct the delivery of aid. Sherine Tadros, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of Advocacy and Representative to the UN, stresses the responsibility of member states to hold Russia accountable for its actions, as failure to do so will result in dire consequences for the millions in need.

The Cross-Border Aid Mechanism

The UN cross-border aid mechanism was established in 2014 to deliver aid to areas outside of the Syrian government’s control. It allowed for the delivery of essential services from Türkiye to north-west Syria without the need for Syrian government authorization. The mechanism was initially approved for three border crossings but has gradually been limited to only one by Russia’s abuse of its veto power. Now, even that single route has been closed off, leaving no alternative for delivering aid at the scale and scope necessary.

The Syrian Government’s Restrictive Control

Amnesty International, along with other human rights organizations, has documented how the Syrian government has arbitrarily restricted access to aid in opposition-controlled areas. The government’s actions have included cutting off essential services to these areas as a punitive measure against civilians. The Russian veto further exacerbates the situation by blocking the only means through which aid can reach those in need.

The Road Ahead

The Syrian government’s recent granting of permission for the UN to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing to deliver aid raises concerns. The government has placed unacceptable conditions on this approval, demanding that the UN and implementing partners fully cooperate with the government and do not “communicate with terrorist organizations and groups.” The UN has rightly rejected these conditions as unacceptable. With the Syrian government’s track record of weaponizing aid and restricting its delivery to opposition-controlled areas, there is little faith in its commitment to impartiality and neutrality.

The Impartiality of Aid Delivery

It is crucial to prioritize the impartiality and neutrality of aid delivery. Amnesty International warns against shifting the authorization of the cross-border aid mechanism from the UN Security Council to the Syrian government, as it could jeopardize unfettered access to aid in north-west Syria. The organization points out the government’s well-documented track record of diverting aid away from populations in opposition-controlled areas. The presence of local humanitarian organizations, such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), which is affiliated with the Syrian government, only serves to further undermine the impartiality of aid delivery.

Conclusion

The General Assembly meeting on 19 July provides an opportunity for UN member states to condemn Russia’s abuse of its veto power and stress the importance of the cross-border aid mechanism for north-west Syria. It is essential to prioritize the well-being of the four million people who rely on UN aid for survival and to ensure that impartial, neutral, and independent humanitarian assistance is provided. The international community must hold Russia accountable and continue to advocate for the delivery of aid to those in need, regardless of political games and obstructive tactics.