UN Security Council Resolution on Syria

Government welcomes adoption of UN Security Council Resolution on Syria 

The Government has welcomed the UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption of a Resolution on Syria, which calls for all parties to the conflict to facilitate the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance.

The Resolution also demands that the warring parties in Syria stop depriving civilians of food and medicine and that they facilitate the rapid, safe and unhindered evacuation of all civilians who wish to leave.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. and Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, T.D., today welcomed the Resolution.

The Tánaiste said:

“I welcome the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2139 by the Security Council. I, along with many in the international community, have been urging such decisive action by the Security Council for some time now, in light of the appalling humanitarian situation we face in Syria.

“People everywhere have been sickened by the indiscriminate violence inflicted on ordinary Syrians, including such abhorrent practices as aerial bombardment and the dropping of barrel bombs on civilian areas by the regime and the deliberate starving of besieged communities.

“It is important that the Security Council has now strongly condemned all the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Syrian authorities and other armed groups and reaffirmed that those responsible must be brought to justice.

“It is now critical that the terms of this binding Resolution are fully implemented by all sides, and especially the Syrian authorities. Hopefully, this Resolution can represent a turning point in international efforts to end the violence and long suffering of the Syrian people. If it does not, then it will be for the Security Council to draw the appropriate conclusions and adopt further measures to ensure compliance.”

Minister for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello, T.D., said:

“It is critical that all obstacles preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid are removed and that the UN and international relief effort is fully facilitated.  I earnestly hope that all sides will now respond to the clear demand in Resolution 2139 to immediately lift the siege of populated areas and allow unhindered humanitarian access to UN and other aid agencies.

“Ireland has been to the forefront in supporting the international humanitarian relief effort, with over €26 million committed in emergency assistance since the start of the crisis. We will continue our active engagement in working to address the humanitarian crisis as well as strongly supporting the Geneva II process aimed at achieving a political resolution to the crisis.”

Press Section

24 February 2014

Note to editors:

• Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 
• Ireland’s total contribution to the crisis in Syria to date is €19 million. This includes funding for emergency food, water, health and protection to the most vulnerable Syrians and those who have fled to neighbouring countries. A further €7million in support is due to be provided over the course of 2014.