Address by Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Interactive Dialogue on Syria, 19th session of the Human Rights Council

Geneva, 12 March 2012

Madam President,
Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
 

I am here today to introduce the two reports submitted by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner in follow-up to Special Sessions on Syria.     

Let me start with the report of the High Commissioner on the implementation of resolution S-17/1 (A/HRC/19/79).  The report reviews the key operative paragraphs of the resolution and the status of their implementation as of 5 December 2011.

In particular, the report notes that, pursuant to resolution S-17/1, an independent commission of inquiry on Syria was established by the President of the Human Rights Council, on 12 September 2011, and was supported by OHCHR.  It adds that the Commission’s report was presented to the President of the Human Rights Council on 28 November 2011, and transmitted to the General Assembly on the same day.

The Commission has submitted a written update to its report for the 19th session of the Council, under agenda item 4.  The update was made public on 22 February 2012 and is being presented formally today. 

Let me turn to the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation resolution S-18/1 (A/HRC/19/80).   The report reviews the key operative paragraphs of the resolution and the status of their implementation as of 20 February 2012.  It includes a summary of the responses received from the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic on 24 January and 10 February 2012 to OHCHR’s note verbale of 16 January 2012, which requested information on the status of implementation of relevant provisions of the resolution. 

The report also notes actions taken by the international community pursuant to relevant provisions of S-18/1.  The report notes that pursuant to paragraph 10 of resolution S-18/1, the Human Rights Council has decided to establish the mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic once the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry ends.  The report notes that to date, the International Commission of Inquiry has not been allowed access to Syria.

This concludes my short presentation today. 

Thank you for your attention.