News Focus: Syria
More photos »
UN responds to crisis in Syria
The UN is leading efforts to:
- end the violence
- stop human rights violations
- secure humanitarian access
- facilitate a Syrian-led political transition to a democratic political system.
Latest developments
Number of Syrians displaced by conflict continues to rise, UN refugee agency reports
Ban urges end to Syria fighting as number of people affected reaches two million
In wake of field visit in Syria, head of UN observers voices concern over Aleppo
Syria: UN humanitarian chief urges avoidance of civilian casualties in Aleppo fighting
Secretary-General calls on countries to follow through with Olympic Truce
Six-point plan:
The UN is calling for full compliance with the six-point plan proposed by UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan as an initial road map for resolving the crisis. The Security Council endorsed the plan and set up the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) as a key element.
Key resources:
Joint Special Envoy
Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy on the Syrian crisis
Through his good offices, the Joint Special Envoy seeks to promote a peaceful solution to the crisis in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people. He represents the Secretaries-General of the UN and the League of Arab States on the Syrian crisis.
• Deputy Joint Special Envoy's statements
Meeting of the Action Group
The Joint Special Envoy (JSE) convened a meeting of the Action Group for Syria in Geneva on 30 June 2012.
JSE: Opening remarks |
Concluding remarks | Press conference
Action group: Final communiqué
UN bodies
Human Rights Council
· Resolutions:
· Special Sessions:
· Investigative reports:
UN Mission/UNSMIS
United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
Lt.-Gen. Babacar Gaye (Senegal)
[Acting] Chief Military Observer and Head of Mission of UNSMIS
General Gaye, UN Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, assumed the temporary command of UNSMIS on 20 July 2012 after Major General Robert Mood's tour of duty ended on that day.
The UN Supervision Mission in Syria was set up by the Security Council on 21 April through adoption of resolution 2043. On 20 July 2012, the Security Council decided to extend the Mission for a final 30 days.
Mandate:
- To monitor a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties;
- To monitor and support the full implementation of the six-point plan.
Commander:
[Acting] Chief Military Observer and Head of Mission of UNSMIS Babacar Gaye
Humanitarian response
The UN humanitarian response
Syrian family being registered as refugees in Wadi Khaled, Northern Lebanon. Photo: UNHCR/F. Juez
As tens of thousands flee violence in Syria, the UN and its humanitarian partners issued an appeal in March 2012 for US$84 million to support Syrian refugees in response.
UN agencies & humanitarian partners
Children - UNICEF
Food - FAO | WFP
Humanitarian Coordination - OCHA
Population - UNFPA
Refugees - UNHCR
Human rights
Syrian pro-reform activists demonstrate in front of the UN building in Beirut, Lebanon, May 2011. EPA/W. Hamzeh
With human rights violations at the heart of the Syrian crisis, the UN has called for an immediate end to violence; release of political prisoners; impartial investigations to end impunity, ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice; and reparations for the victims.
· Statements & press releases
· Country page
· Observations & conclusions of human rights mechanisms
I call upon all Member States to take collective and decisive action to immediately and fully stop the tragedy unfolding in Syria. Inaction becomes a license for further massacres.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in statement following reported mass killings in Syrian village of Tremseh, 13 Jul '12
