Syria: Ban Condemns Spiralling Violence, Urges Warring Parties to Halt Conflict ‘Now’
New York, Apr 8 2014 - Amid surging violence across Syria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned
the killing of an elderly priest in Homs and the ongoing brutality against the civilian population, and urged all
Syrians and their outside supporters to put a stop to this conflict, “now.”
“In the face of troubling new reports of atrocities in the brutal conflict driving Syria to its destruction, the
Secretary-General demands that warring parties and their supporters ensure that civilians are protected, regardless of
their religion, community or ethnic affiliation,” said a statement issued yesterday evening by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.
The statement said that both the Syrian Government and armed groups have the legal obligation and moral responsibility
to protect civilians and “must do everything to avoid and prevent violence against civilians, including indiscriminate
shelling and air attacks on civilian areas.”
Citing the killing yesterday of an elderly priest, Father Frans van der Lugt, in Homs as only the latest tragedy
highlighting the urgent need to protect civilians, the UN chief condemned “this inhumane act of violence against a man
who heroically stood by the people of Syria amid sieges and growing difficulties.”
The statement went on to express the Secretary-General’s horror at the gruesome images of purported executions in the
Syrian town of Kassab. “While the United Nations is unable to confirm the validity of these reported atrocities, gross
human rights violations undeniably continue and residents of entire villages such as Kassab have been forced to flee,”
the statement said.
“Government forces continue to indiscriminately destroy whole neighbourhoods, burying entire families beneath the rubble
of their homes,” it continued, adding that the Secretary-General is also extremely concerned that groups listed as
terrorist organizations by the UN Security Council continue to brutalize the civilian population.
“There is a belief by too many in Syria and beyond that this conflict can be won militarily. More violence will only
bring more suffering and instability to Syria and sow chaos in the region,” says the statement, urging all Syrians and
their outside supporters to immediately halt the fighting.
“For the sake of families and communities across Syria, the Secretary-General appeals to all sides to permit immediately
the unfettered access of humanitarian assistance and workers,” it says, adding that under Mr. Ban’s leadership, the UN
is prepared to contribute to a “new day” in Syria by fostering a political settlement, providing humanitarian
assistance, and supporting reconstruction.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS