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The UK's International Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French, delivered this statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

Thank you Madam President,

The UK remains a strong supporter of the Commission’s work and we thank the commission for their comprehensive report on the situation in Idlib and surrounding areas.

The United Kingdom is gravely disturbed by the commission’s findings, including those of war crimes committed by the Russian-backed regime forces and by terrorist groups. We note the finding that the displacement of one million civilians, as a result of the brutal offensive by the Syrian regime, may constitute a crime against humanity.

We urge all parties to allow humanitarian access and abide by the current ceasefire and international law. We are deeply disappointed by the shameful actions of Russia and China in the Security Council who, by use of their vetoes, have further reduced the ability of humanitarian actors to provide life-saving assistance to the suffering population in northern Syria. The Bab Al-Salam crossing supplied aid to 1.3 million people in the Northern Aleppo, including Afrin, an area hundreds of thousands of civilians had fled to.

Madam President,

The human rights situation across the whole of Syria remains deplorable. We will present a resolution this session, which notes our concerns about the continued extensive use of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearance, particularly by the regime, and requests the Commission to prepare a report on arbitrary imprisonment in Syria.

Thank you.