New York - September 27

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement on the special occasion on the sidelines of the general debate of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York, on the international mechanism for prosecuting those responsible for crimes committed in Syria, that the escalation of violence and the potential for chemical weapons attacks, calls for a doubling of efforts to hold accountable for the heinous crimes.

He said that the State of Qatar had fulfilled its $ 1 million contribution to the international mechanism and thanked those countries that had provided material support to the mechanism.

He said that the international community calls for a political solution in Syria in accordance with Security Council Resolution No. 2254. However, the judicial system in Syria does not have the will to prosecute any party committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. He believed that the success of the international mechanism depends on several factors, most importantly political commitment and reflection on the ground. He urged Member States to cooperate with the Mechanism, The Minister welcomed the fact that the International Mechanism had done so in coordination with the International Independent Investigation Commission for the purpose of exchanging information and evidence. He stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination with civil society organizations, in order to document violations. He also welcomed the signing of a cooperation protocol with 28 organizations last April in Lausanne, which would contribute to the common goal of ensuring accountability and fairness for victims.

He expressed the hope of the State of Qatar to activate the activity of the mechanism or reach tangible results, which contributes to the achievement of justice and sustainable peace in Syria.