UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared before journalists in the capital Damascus following his two-day visit to Syria. Regarding the Sednaya Prison he visited during his trip, Guterres said,
"I was deeply horrified by the claims that tens of thousands of people were killed and tortured."
The Secretary-General, expressing hope for Syria's future, stressed that the country needs security, stability and economic opportunities. Taking a clear stance on the sanctions imposed on Syria, Guterres said,
"All sanctions must be lifted immediately. The Syrian people should not bear the burden of recovery alone."
The UN Secretary-General called on the international community to provide political, economic and practical support to strengthen basic services, infrastructure, education and health systems in Syria. He also noted that assistance is needed for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Guterres said he was impressed by his meeting with Syrian People's Assembly Speaker Abdulhamid Avvak, and that he was briefed on the assembly's work on legal regulations and internal rules. He stated that the UN is ready to support accountability, transitional justice, human rights, and reconciliation efforts in Syria.
Guterres stressed that the participation of all segments of society is essential for the rule of law, a lasting constitution and free elections, and also harshly condemned Israel's violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"These violations are unacceptable and must end,"
the Secretary-General said, announcing that he would submit a comprehensive report on Israel's violations to the UN in a month.
Answering questions at the press conference, Guterres said he was more than optimistic about the future of cooperation, adding,
"With the support of the international community, I have no doubt that the Syrian people can rebuild the country."
He added that throughout his visit he met with civil society representatives and ordinary people, and saw great determination in them.
Ridvan Sezer | Editor-in-Chief
