CDS Welcomes UN Security Council Resolution 2165

CDS Welcomes UN Security Council Resolution 2165

July, 16, 2014

Washington, DC - The Coalition for a Democratic Syria (CDS) welcomes Monday’s unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2165, which authorizes cross-border humanitarian aid into Syria without the consent of the Assad regime. The resolution serves as an acknowledgment that the Assad regime has used its exclusive control over United Nations aid to further its “Kneel or Starve” campaign throughout the country.

“We welcome this overdue resolution, which we estimate will allow aid to 1.3 million Syrians long denied humanitarian assistance by the Assad regime," said Mohammed Ghanem, Policy and Advocacy officer of the Syrian American Council, a CDS member organization . "However, we must also note that over 10 million Syrians, mostly in opposition areas, are currently in dire need of humanitarian assistance according to UN humanitarian coordinator Valerie Amos. Since the vast majority of these civilians will not be impacted, the UN resolution simply does not go far enough."

The Assad government has shown comfort in not complying with Security Council resolutions, as made evident by its continued restriction of humanitarian access and intensification of barrel bombing campaigns in direct violation of Security Council Resolution 2139, passed earlier this year. CDS appreciates the helpful statements of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who affirmed “if access is denied or there is non-compliance, this resolution affirms that the Security Council will take further action. The credibility of the Security Council is at stake if the status quo continues.”

On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) also said, “The Assad regime has used humanitarian aid as a weapon of war by withholding it from its citizens living in opposition held areas. This move is long overdue [...] UN humanitarian agencies should move quickly to provide relief to besieged and isolated communities.” The resolution further serves as acknowledgment that the Assad government no longer exercises effective control over much of Syria’s territory along key borders with Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey, undermining a core element of legitimate governance.

CDS further supports the resolution’s repeated commitment to a political solution to the Syrian conflict in line with the Geneva Communiqué, which calls for a transition of power from the government of Bashar al Assad and which meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

ENDS

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