Statement by H.E. Peter Thomson, President of the U.N. General Assembly, on the humanitarian situation in Syria
14 December 2016
UNITED NATIONS, New York, 14 December 2016 – Less than a week after the United Nations General Assembly met to discuss the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria, the President of the U.N. General Assembly today called on all parties to ensure full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.
“As the situation in Eastern Aleppo evolves, it is incumbent on all parties to abide by their international commitments and to bring relief to the people of Syria who have experienced untold suffering throughout this conflict,” President Thomson said.
The President welcomed efforts aimed at securing the evacuation of civilians and members of the armed opposition from Eastern Aleppo and urged all parties to make good on their promises and to make haste in bringing an end to this conflict:
“I join the Secretary General in calling, after five years of death and destruction, for an immediate end to violence by all sides, unfettered humanitarian access throughout, and genuine engagement without preconditions around the political tools we already possess, including Security Council Resolution 2254, ” he added.