Thank you, Chair.

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and Georgia, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.

More than thirteen years after the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, the situation on the ground remains dire. We are deeply concerned by the persisting violence and instability, which severely affects civilians. At the same time, humanitarian funding decreases in a deteriorating socioeconomic context.

We condemn the consistent and systematic use of arbitrary detention, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, involuntary or enforced disappearance and summary executions by all parties to the conflict. All violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, must end now.

Accountability for these violations is of utmost importance - both for the victims, and in the framework of a lasting political solution. We reiterate our call for the situation in Syria to be referred to the ICC, and recall the duty of the Syrian regime to fully cooperate with all endeavours in this regard.

We continue to support the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, which is essential in the fight against impunity and to deliver accountability and justice. In order for the Mechanism to address its significantly increased workload since 2020, we must ensure that it has the necessary resources at its disposal, including adequate and sustainable funding through the programme budget. We also welcome the fact that the Independent Institution on Missing Persons has begun its important work.

The EU continues to demand that all parties to the conflict, in particular the Syrian regime, allow safe, full, rapid, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access, both cross-line and cross-border, as well as to places of confinement or detention.

The EU continues to voice strong concern about reports of social and demographic engineering in all areas throughout Syria. We call upon all parties, including the Syrian regime, to help create the conditions necessary for the voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons and to protect those who returned from human rights violations and abuses,

Finally, we recall that any sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine political transition in line with UNSCR 2254, with the full, equal, and meaningful participation and leadership of all women at all levels. The EU reiterates its urgent call on the Syrian regime, its sponsors, its allies, and all parties to the conflict to engage fully and in good faith in the Syrian-led political process.

In line with the priorities just outlined, the EU and its Member States welcome the adoption of the resolution on the situation of Human Rights in Syria.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.