The United Kingdom has criticized a decision by Russia’s President to implement a five-hour daily truce in Syria’s besieged eastern Ghouta region despite a Security Council resolution adopted on Saturday demanding a 30-day ceasefire across the entire country to enable humanitarian deliveries.
Hundreds have died in the rebel-held enclave after one of the heaviest bombardments by the Syrian-led coalition supported by Russia and Iran as the Government of President Bashar al Assad claws back important areas lost during seven years of war.
After days of diplomatic wrangling, the decision to call for a month-long ceasefire in Syria was unanimous; the United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres described the situation in horrendous terms.
“I remind all parties of their absolute obligation under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times. And similarly, efforts to combat terrorism do not supersede these obligations.”
This was echoed by the UN’s Human Right’s Chief High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
“We insist on its full implementation, without delay. However, we have every reason to remain cautious as air strikes on eastern Ghouta continue this morning. Resolution 2401 must also be viewed against a backdrop of seven years of failure to stop the violence; seven years of unremitting and frightful mass killing.”
Fighting has indeed continued across Syria since Saturday’s resolution, including eastern Ghouta, as hopes fade that the Council’s decision will stem the bloodshed in the country.
The UN’s regional humanitarian office for example indicated they still don’t have the green light to go inside and bring desperately needed food and medical supplies and to carry out medical evacuations. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to order a temporary daily pause was criticized by the British.
UK Ambassador Jonathan Allen says: “We’ve got a clear resolution, that’s been passed by everybody. Every member state of the SC is obliged to do everything it can to implement and see implemented all Security Council resolutions and that of course includes Russia.”
“Russia can implement it if it chooses, if it’s able to do a five hour pause, it’s able to do a 24 hour pause so it’s up to Russia if it wants to implement fully the Resolution that it signed up to and voted for or whether it wants to play cynical games.”
More than 340 000 people have died and millions have fled as refugees during Syria’s war which enters its eight year next month with no political resolute.
