Russia circulates competing weak draft resolution on humanitarian situation in Syria

Russia has circulated among Security Council members for examination a draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in Syria that puts the blame equally on Government and opposition forces, highlights terrorist acts in the country, and does not mention any threat of sanctions on violators. The Council has before it a similar Western-Arab draft resolution which Russia described this week as a "non-starter." Diplomats said Russia, under pressure, came up with its draft, late on Thursday, after the sponsors of the Western-Arab draft said earlier this week they were ready to "go all the way" and put every Council member "before its responsibilities." Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters following a Council closed-door meeting late Thursday that the two drafts "are not that far apart. " "For instance, we added some strong language on terrorism. And I think we have a good chance that our colleagues will accept (it)," he said. A Council member described the Russian draft as "weak" and said both drafts could be merged. Unlike the Western-Arab draft text which condemns the widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the "Syrian authorities, " the Russian draft also condemns those widespread violations but "irrespective of where they come from," and calls on "all parties to immediately put an end to all forms of violence, irrespective of where it comes from." While the Western-Arab draft stresses that some of those violations "may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," the Russian draft does not; and while the former demands that the "Syrian authorities immediately cease all aerial bombardment in populated areas" as well as the "indiscriminate use of SCUD missiles and barrel bombs," the Russian draft "calls upon all parties" to the conflict to cease "indiscriminate attacks against civilians and methods of warfare." The Russian draft calls on "all parties" to end the sieges of populated areas, to allow the delivery of necessary humanitarian assistance and to enable the rapid, safe and unhindered evacuation of all civilians who wish to leave. It further stresses the need for the parties to agree on "humanitarian pauses, days of tranquility, localized cease-fires and truces" to allow humanitarian agencies safe and unhindered access to all affected areas in Syria. It urges "all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities," to promptly facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the needy, through the most effective ways, including across conflict lines and, where appropriate, across borders from neighbouring countries. It condemns the continued arbitrary detention and torture of civilians in Syria, as well as kidnappings, abductions and forced disappearances; and calls for the immediate end of these practices and the release of all arbitrarily detained persons starting with women and children, as well as elderly people and UN personnel. Unlike the Western-Arab draft resolution which recalls the relevance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold accountable those responsible for "war crimes and crimes against humanity," the Russian draft stresses the need to "end impunity" for the violations of international humanitarian law and reaffirms that "those who have committed or are otherwise responsible for such violations and abuses in Syria must be brought to justice." On terrorism, the Russian draft contains stronger language. Churkin also circulated among Council member late Thursday a Presidential statement on terrorism in Syria, but said action on the humanitarian draft is a "priority." The Russian draft "strongly condemns the increased terrorist attacks resulting in numerous casualties and destruction carried out by organizations and individuals associated with Al-Qaeda and other terrorist and extremist groups. While the Western-Arab draft text mentions specifically Hizballah and Quds Force by name among the foreign forces that must withdraw from Syria, the Russian draft simply refers to them instead as "other non-state actors linked to terrorism," and calls on the Syrian authorities and opposition forces to "jointly" commit to expel from Syria all organizations and individuals affiliated to Al-Qaeda. The Russian draft "welcomes" the ongoing negotiation process in Geneva-2, and calls on "all parties" to work towards the comprehensive implementation of the 2012 Geneva Communique "leading to a genuine political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and enables them independently and democratically to determine their own future." While the Western-Arab draft test expresses the Council's intent to impose punitive sanctions on violators if the demands in the draft resolution are not met within 15 days of its adoption, the Russian draft requests the Secretary-General to regularly report to the Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria and its impact on neighbouring countries, including on "progress towards implementation of the specific steps outlined in this resolution."