UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Syrian Arab Republic

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Security Council
General Assembly
Human Rights Council
Other UN Entities
Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials
Selected UN Documents
Selected Articles in UN Journals
Further Information
Non-UN Sources

Security Council

Meetings in 2013: 24, 18 April, 26 February – The situation in the Middle East
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/resguide/scact2013_en.shtml
Meetings in 2012: 30 August – The situation in the Middle East; 9 August - Meeting with the troop-contributing countries to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria; 19 & 20 July - Middle East; 10 June - Meeting with countries contributing troops and police to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Syrian Arab Republic; 23 April - Middle East; 21 April – Middle East; 14 April – Middle East; 27 March - Middle East; 21 March - Middle East; 12 March - Middle East; 4 February - Middle East situation - Syria ; 31 January - Middle East situation – Syria
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/resguide/scact2012_en.shtml
Meetings in 2011: 4 October - Middle East Sstuation; 3 August - Middle East situation; 10 May - Protection of civilians in armed conflict; 27 April - Meetings on the Middle East situation:
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/resguide/scact2011_en.shtml
(Meeting records, press releases and resolutions)
- Security Council fails to adopt draft resolution condemning Syria’s crackdown on anti-government protestors, owing to veto by Russian Federation, China (SC/10403, 4 October 2011):
  http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sc10403.doc.htm

Resolutions and other selected documents:

- S/2013/184 (25 March 2013): Letter dated 22 March 2013 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council
  http://undocs.org/S/2013/184
  The Secretary-General announced his decision to conduct an investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic
- S/2012/618 (10 August 2012): Letter dated 10 August 2012 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council
  http://undocs.org/S/2012/618
  Updates the Council on the implementation of the Security Council resolution 2059 (2012) and the situation in Syria since the 2 Aug. 2012 briefing by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
- Resolution 2059 (2012): http://undocs.org/S/RES/2059(2012)
  on the renewal of the mandate of UNSMIS for a final period of 30 days
- S/2012/538 (19 July 2012): France, Germany, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America: draft resolution
  http://undocs.org/S/2012/538
- S/2012/523 (6 July 2012): Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2043 (2012):
  http://undocs.org/S/2012/523
  Annex (p.18-22) : "Final communiqué of the Action Group for Syria".
- S/RES/2043 (2012): http://undocs.org/S/RES/2043(2012)
  on the establishment of a UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS)
- S/2012/238 (19 April 2012): Letter dated 2012/04/19 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council:
  http://undocs.org/S/2012/238
  Provides a background to the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic and outlines a proposal for a UN Supervision Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic (UNSMIS) for an initial period of 3 months; recommends that the Security Council authorize UNSMIS, with the understanding that the Secretary-General consider relevant developments on the ground, including the consolidation of the cessation of the violence, in deciding on deployments.
- S/RES/2042 (2012): http://undocs.org/S/RES/2042(2012)
  on authorization of the deployment of an advance team of up to 30 unarmed military observers to Syrian Arab Republic
- S/PRST/2012/6 (21 March 2012): http://undocs.org/S/PRST/2012/6
  Includes text of the initial six-point proposal submitted to the Syrian authorities, as outlined by the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Kofi Annan, to the Security Council on 16 March 2012)
- S/2012/77 (4 February 2012): Bahrain, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America: draft resolution: http://undocs.org/S/2012/77

General Assembly

General Assembly adopts text condemning violence in Syria, demanding that all sides end hostilities (GA/11372, 15 May 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/ga11372.doc.htm
- A/RES/67/262: http://undocs.org/A/RES/67/262
General Assembly strongly condemns widespread, systematic human rights violations in Syria, as it adopts 56 resolutions recommended by Third Committee (GA/11331, 20 December 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11331.doc.htm
- A/RES/67/183: Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/RES/67/183
General Assembly, in resolution, demands all in Syria ‘immediately and visibly’ commit to ending violence that Secretary-General says is ripping country apart (GA/11266, 3 August 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11266.doc.htm
- A/RES/66/253 B: The situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/RES/66/253 B
- A/66/889 (21 August 2012): Implementation of General Assembly resolution 66/253 B on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic; Report of the Secretary-General
  http://undocs.org/A/66/889
Informal meeting of the Plenary on the Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic - 7 June 2012:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11250.doc.htm
General Assembly adopts resolution strongly condemning ‘widespread and systematic’ human rights violations by Syrian authorities; Text passes by 137 votes in favour to 12 against, with 17 abstentions (GA/11207, 16 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11207.doc.htm
- A/RES/66/253: The situation in the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/RES/66/253
Top UN Human Rights Official says member states ‘must act now’ to protect Syrian people, as violent crackdown continues, in briefing to General Assembly (GA/11206, 13 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/ga11206.doc.htm
General Assembly to discuss latest developments in Syria (UN News Centre Story, 10 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41200&;Cr=syria&Cr1
General Assembly adopts more than 60 resolutions recommended by Third Committee, including text condemning grave, systematic human rights violations in Syria (GA/11198, 19 December 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/ga11198.doc.htm

Human Rights Council

Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx

Council condemns gross violations of human rights by Syria, asks Commission of Inquiry to Conduct Inquiry into events in Al Qusayr (Press Release, 29 May 2013):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13376&LangID=E
Human Rights Council holds interactive dialogue with Commission of Inquiry on Syria (11 March 2013):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13112&LangID=E
Human Rights Council holds Interactive dialogue with Chair of International Commission of Inquiry on Syria (17 September 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12528&LangID=E
19th special session on the "deteriorating human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and the recent killings in El-Houleh" - 1 June 2012:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/SpecialSessions/Session19/Pages/19thSpecialSession.aspx
Urgent Debate on the Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation in Syria (28 February - 1 March 2012)
- Council adopts resolution on escalating grave human rights violations and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria:
  http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11885&;LangID=E
- The Human Rights Council calls on the Syrian Government to immediately end attacks on civilians:
  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/TheHRCcallsSyrianGovernmenttoimmediatelyendattacksoncivilians.aspx
  The Human Rights Council holds an urgent debate on Syria:
  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/TheHRCholdsanurgentdebateonSyria.aspx
- Human Rights Council holds urgent debate on Human Rights and humanitarian situation in Syria
  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11881&LangID=E
- Human Rights Council hears statements from 17 dignitaries as it continues its High-Level Segment:
  http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11883&;LangID=E
18th special session on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic - 2 December 2011
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/18/index.htm
President of Human Rights Council appoints International Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations in Syria (Press Release, 12 September 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11369&;LangID=E
17th Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic” - 22 August 2011
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/17/index.htm
16th Special Session on the "Situation of human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic" - 29 April 2011
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/specialsession/16/index.htm
Selected documents:
- A/HRC/23/58 (4 June 2013): Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (Advance Unedited Version):
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/A-HRC-23-58_en.pdf
- A/HRC/22/CRP.1 (11 March 2013): Oral Update of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (covering period 15 January - 3 March 2013):
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/PeriodicUpdate11March2013_en.pdf
- A/HRC/22/59 (5 February 2013): Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/22/59 and http://undocs.org/A/HRC/22/59/Corr.1
- Periodic update of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (20 December 2012):
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SY/ColSyriaDecember2012.pdf
- A/HRC/21/32 (14 September 2012): Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic: Implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 19/22; Report of the Secretary-General - Advance Unedited Version
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session21/A-HRC-21-32_AUV.pdf
- A/HRC/21/50 (15 August 2012): Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic - Advance Edited Version
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session21/A-HRC-21-50.doc
- A/HRC/RES/20/22 (6 July 2012): Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic : resolution / adopted by the Human Rights Council
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/20/22
- A/HRC/20/CRP.1 (26 June 2012): Oral update of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session20/COI_OralUpdate_A.HRC.20.CRP.1.pdf
- A/HRC/20/37 (22 June 2012): Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic: implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 19/22; Report of the Secretary-General
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/20/37
- A/HRC/RES/S-19/1 (1 June 2012): The deteriorating situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the recent killings in El-Houleh
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/S-19/1
- Independent International Commission of Inquiry established pursuant to resolution A/HRC/S-17/1 and extended through resolution A/HRC/Res/19/22 - Periodic Update, 24 May 2012
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/SpecialSession/CISyria/PeriodicUpdateCISyria.pdf
- A/HRC/RES/19/22 (23 March 2012): Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic - Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/19/22
- A/HRC/19/69 (22 February 2012): 2nd Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/19/69
- A/HRC/RES/S-18/1 (2 December 2011): The human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic - Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/S-18/1
- A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1 (23 November 2011): Report of independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic:
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1
- A/HRC/18/53 (15 September 2011): Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic:
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/18/53
- A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1 (23 November 2011): 1st Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/S-17/2/Add.1
- A/HRC/RES/S-16/1 (29 April 2011): The current human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic in the context of recent event
  http://undocs.org/A/HRC/RES/S-16/1

UN Entities

United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) (until 19 August 2012)
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/unsmis/
- Syria: UN observer mission to end, to be replaced by liaison office, official says (16 August 2012):
  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=42694&;;Cr=syria&Cr1=unsmis

UN Department of Political Affairs – Focus: Syria
http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/main/activities_by_region/middle_east/syria
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - Syrian Arab Republic
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/SYIndex.aspx
- Updated Statistical Analysis of Documentation of Killings in the Syrian Arab Republic (13 June 2013):
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SY/HRDAG-Updated-SY-report.pdf
- Preliminary Statistical Analysis of Documentation of Killings in the Syrian Arab Republic (2 January 2013)
  http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SY/PreliminaryStatAnalysisKillingsInSyria.pdf
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Syrian Arab Republic
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syria.html
- Appeal by heads of leading UN humanitarian agencies for the people of Syria (15 April 2012):
  http://www.unicef.org/media/media_68747.html

UN Development Programme (UNDP) - Responding to the Crisis in Syria
http://www.undp.org/content/rbas/en/home/ourwork/crisispreventionandrecovery/successstories/Responding_to_crisis_Syria/
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Syrian Arab Republic
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e486a76
- Syria Emergency:
  http://www.unhcr.org/pages/5051e8cd6.html
- Syria Regional Refugee Response - Inter-agency Information Sharing Portal:
  http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
- Syria Crisis:
  http://www.unocha.org/crisis/syria
- Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos - Statements and Speeches:
  http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/usg-statement-speeches
- Emergency Relief Coordinator - Key Messages:
  http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/erc-key-messages
- ReliefWeb: Syrian Arab Republic (the)
  http://reliefweb.int/taxonomy/term/226
- IRIN News - Syria (Integrated Regional Information Network)
  http://www.irinnews.org/Country.aspx?Country=SY

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) - Emergency in Syria
http://www.unrwa.org/syria

Selected Statements and Speeches by UN Officials

Secretary-General, expressing ‘gravest concern’, urges all sides in Syrian conflict to avoid civilian casualties (SG/SM/15068, 3 June 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm15068.doc.htm
Urgent debate on the human rights situation in Syria - Opening Statement by Ms. Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights (Press Release, 29 May 2013):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13372&LangID=E
Chaos inside Syria creates fertile ground for radicalism, threatens regional stability, Secretary-General warns in message to Consultative Meeting (SG/SM/15058, 28 May 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm15058.doc.htm
Secretary-General reiterates priority of protecting civilians in Syria, keeping violence from spilling across borders (SG/SM/15053, 28 May 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm15053.doc.htm
Pillay urges greater attention to atrocities in Syria, warns of threat to Qusayr (Press release, 10 May 2013):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13314&LangID=E
Secretary-General, gravely concerned over reported Israeli air strikes in Syria, calls on all sides to prevent escalation of ‘already highly dangerous conflict’ (SG/SM/15004, 6 May 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm15004.doc.htm
Secretary-General condemns terrorist attack on Syrian Prime Minister’s convoy, warns against further militarization, radicalization of conflict (SG/SM/14994, 29 April 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm14994.doc.htm
Secretary-General, in message to Arab League Summit, warns of Syrian conflict’s consequences for national cohesion, regional stability (SG/SM/14909, 26 March 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm14909.doc.htm
Condemning Terrorist Attack on Syrian Mosque, Secretary-General says ‘a political solution is the only way out of this conflict’ (SG/SM/14897, 22 March 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14897.doc.htm
Secretary-General says two years ago Syrians’ peaceful protest met with brutal force; today, urgent political solution needed to prevent country’s complete destruction (SG/SM/14880, 18 March 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14880.doc.htm
Secretary-General welcomes release of 21 members of Observer Force charged with monitoring disengagement between Israel, Syria (SG/SM/14858, 11 March 2013):
http://www.un.org/news/press/docs/2013/sgsm14858.doc.htm
Secretary-General, condemning detention of 21 peacekeepers by Syrian opposition elements, calls for their immediate release (SG/SM/14851-PKO/331, 6 March 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14851.doc.htm
‘We face a race against time,’ Secretary-General tells Council on Foreign Relations, urging collective action to address crisis in Syria, threat of climate catastrophe (SG/SM/14808, 12 February 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14808.doc.htm
Secretary-General, condemning deadly attack on Syria-Turkey border, reiterates ‘deep concern’ over spillover of violence to neighbouring states (SG/SM/14813, 12 February 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14813.doc.htm
Secretary-General, Announces ‘largest response ever to a Humanitarian Pledging Conference’ as donors promise more than $1.5 billion for Syrian people (SG/SM/14793-IHA/1306, 30 January 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14793.doc.htm
Funding constraints must not prevent delivery of life-saving aid to those in desperate need, Secretary-General tells Pledging Conference on Syria (SG/SM/14792-IHA/1305, 30 January 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14792.doc.htm
Secretary-General highlights Syria, Mali Situations in special Davos address, while stressing need to tackle preventable longer-term ‘silent crises’ (SG/SM/14780-ECO/216, 24 January 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14780.doc.htm
Deliberately targeting civilians ‘a war crime’, Secretary-General warns, strongly condemning deadly attack on Syria’s Aleppo University (SG/SM/14767, 16 January 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2013/sgsm14767.doc.htm
Secretary-General, ‘disappointed’ that President’s speech rejected key element of Geneva Communiqué, calls for ‘real solutions’ to Syria crisis (SG/SM/14753, 7 January 2013):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2013/sgsm14753.doc.htm
Data analysis suggests over 60,000 people killed in Syria conflict: Pillay (Press Release, 2 January 2013):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12912&LangID=E
‘Extremely concerned’ about Syria’s deteriorating humanitarian situation, Secretary-General to chair 30 January International Pledging Conference (SG/SM/14745-IHA/1304, 28 December 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14745.doc.htm
Statement of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide on the situation in Syria (20 December 2012):
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/OGPRtoP%2020%20December%20Statement%20on%20Syria%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf
Alarmed by dramatic escalation of violence in Syria, mass killings, Secretary-General stresses need to keep borders open (SG/SM/14735, 17 December 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14735.doc.htm
Negotiations, genuine political dialogue keys to building free, democratic Syria, Secretary-General tells Group of Friends (SG/SM/14724, 12 December 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14724.doc.htm
Unless Syrian peace process receives full support from all stakeholders, ‘we will all lose’, Secretary-General tells General Assembly (SG/SM/14691-GA/11320, 30 November 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14691.doc.htm
Strongly condemning deadly Damascus bombings, Secretary-General calls such terror attacks ‘unacceptable’ (SG/SM/14683, 28 November 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14683.doc.htm
Joint Statement by Secretaries-General of United Nations, League of Arab States (SG/SM/14596, 19 October 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14596.doc.htm
Secretary-General, alarmed by escalating Syria-Turkey border tensions, reiterates concern over growing risk of regional conflict (SG/SM/14564, 4 October 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14564.doc.htm
Expressing ‘deepest concern’ at reported killings of Turkish civilians near Syrian border, Secretary-General reiterates warning of militarization in Syrian conflict (SG/SM/14561, 3 October 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14561.doc.htm
Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Statement to the Side-event at the 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council on "Bearing witness: human rights and accountability in Syria" (10 September 2012): http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12491&LangID=E
Responsibility to Protect Faces Urgent Test ‘Here and Now’, Secretary-General Tells General Assembly, Stressing Immense Human Cost of Failure in Syria (SG/SM/14490-GA/11271, 5 September 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14490.doc.htm
Conflict in Syria takes brutal turn, engulfing region, Secretary-General tells General Assembly, urging solid, unifying support for new envoy’s mission (SG/SM/14488-GA/11269, 4 September 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14488.doc.htm
Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Remarks at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (4 September 2012):
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/statements/index.shtml
As Security Council considers situation, Deputy Secretary-General says $180 Million Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria only half-funded (DSG/SM/632-DC/10753, 30 August 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/dsgsm632.doc.htm
Reliance on Arms rather than diplomacy raises grim possibility of long-term civil war in Syria, Secretary-General warns consultative meeting (SG/SM/14453, 9 August 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14453.doc.htm
Secretary-General says while Syrian parties, especially government, have primary responsibility to end violence, conflict is test of everything un stands for (SG/SM/14442-GA/11267, 3 August 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14442.doc.htm
Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Remarks at the Meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the events in the Syrian Arab Republic (3 August):
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/statements/syriaplenary030812.shtml
Secretary-General announces resignation of Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, says consultations with Arab States under way for successor (SG/SM/14441, 2 August 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14441.doc.htm
Pillay warns of consequences under international law as Syria conflict escalates (Press Release, 27 July 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12393&;LangID=E
Secretary-General deeply regrets Security Council unable to agree on resolution to address rapidly deteriorating situation in Syria (SG/SM/14420, 19 July 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14420.doc.htm
Secretary-General, alarmed by intensifying violence in Syria, strongly condemns today’s bomb attack at National Security Headquarters in Damascus (SG/SM/14418, 18 July 2012)
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14418.doc.htm
Syrian Government Must halt bloodshed, says outraged Secretary-General, strongly condemning use of heavy weaponry in ‘horrific’ mass killings (SG/SM/14413, 13 July 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14413.doc.htm
President of the General Assembly strongly condems reported killings in Tremseh, near Hama in Syria (13 July):
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/statements/killingsinTremseh.130712.shtml
Militarization of Syrian conflict must be stopped, says UN human rights chief Navi Pillay (3 July 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/HCSecurityCouncil.aspx
Secretary-General welcomes agreement reached by Action Group to work jointly to resolve Syrian crisis (SG/SM/14392, 2 July 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14392.doc.htm
Statement of the Special Advisers of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect on the situation in Syria (14 June 2012):
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/14%20June%20Statement%20-%20English.pdf
Deeply concerned at intensifying violence in Syria, Secretary-General Urges those with influence to convince sides to pull back from brink (SG/SM/14344, 12 June 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14344.doc.htm
President of the General Assembly, Remarks at the Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on events in the Syrian Arab Republic, New York, 7 June 2012:
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/66/statements/syria070612.shtml
'Syria and Region can quickly move from tipping point to breaking point,’ Secretary-General Says, calling for urgent implementation of Annan Plan (SG/SM/14338-GA/11252, 7 June 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14338.doc.htm
Statement to the General Assembly on behalf of Ms. Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (7 June 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12225&;LangID=E
Statement by Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council 19th Special Session on "The deteriorating human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and the killings in El-Houleh" Geneva, 1 June 2012:
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12210&;LangID=E
Joint Statement by Secretary-General, Joint Special Envoy for Syria (SG/2183, 27 May 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sg2183.doc.htm
Syria: Pillay says El Houleh killings may amount to international crimes (27 May 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12193&;LangID=E
Secretary-General condemns attack in Syria, Calling United Nations Mission ‘Possibly only remaining chance to stabilize country, avert civil war’ (SG/SM/14275, 9 May 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14275.doc.htm
Secretary-General condemns terrorist bomb attacks in Syria; Calls for armed violence ‘in all its forms, by all parties’ to cease immediately (SG/SM/14264, 30 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14264.doc.htm
Secretary-General gravely alarmed by continued violence in Syria, demands government comply with commitments without delay (SG/SM/14257, 26 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14257.doc.htm
Secretary-General strongly welcomes unanimous decision of Security Council to authorize United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (SG/SM/14245-SC/10619, 21 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14245.doc.htm
Secretary-General demands Syrian Government ‘immediately and unconditionally’ cease all military actions against Syrian people (SG/SM/14218, 9 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14218.doc.htm
Alarmed by continuing violence, human rights violations, Secretary-General strongly deplores deadly cross-border shootings from Syria into Turkey (SG/SM/14221, 9 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14221.doc.htm
Further militarization of Syria conflict not solution, says Secretary-General, calling proliferation in sources of violence ‘simply unacceptable’ (SG/SM/14216-GA/11221, 5 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sgsm14216.doc.htm
Violence against civilians driving Syria crisis towards militarization, gives extremists pretext for getting involved, Secretary-General warns (SG/SM/14203, 2 April 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14203.doc.htm
‘Winds of change are blowing’, Secretary-General tells League of Arab States Summit, urging members to ‘set your sails to catch them’ (SG/SM/14197, 29 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14197.doc.htm
Secretary-General welcomes Security Council’s unified message on Syria, hopes Presidential Statement marks turning point in response to crisis (SG/SM/14179-SC/10587, 21 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14179.doc.htm
Jean-Marie Guéhenno appointed Deputy Joint Special Envoy of United Nations, League of Arab States on Syria (SG/A/1337, 20 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sga1337.doc.htm
Secretary-General firmly condemns bomb attacks in Damascus, calls for all violence to cease immediately (SG/SM/14169, 19 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14169.doc.htm
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Syria (15 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=5914
Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, and on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward Luck, release statement marking a full year of violent suppression of anti-government protests in Syria (15 March 2012): http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/Statement%20on%20Syria%2015%20March%20FINAL%20EN.pdf
Statement on Syria, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos (15 March 2012):
http://ochanet.unocha.org/p/Documents/USG%20Valerie%20Amos%20Statement%20on%20Syria%2015%20March%202012.pdf
International Community’s inaction may have encouraged brutal suppression in Syria; ‘We must act, urgently and in concert,’ Secretary-General tells General Assembly (SG/SM/14139-GA/11211, 2 March 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14139.doc.htm
Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at The Urgent Debate on the Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic at the Human Rights Council 19th Session (28 February 2012): http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/NewsSearch.aspx?CID=SY
Secretary-General, in message, urges Syrian authorities to cease all violence, international community to act coherently to facilitate peaceful resolution (SG/SM/14126, 24 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14126.doc.htm
Kofi Annan Appointed Joint Special Envoy of United Nations, League of Arab States on Syrian Crisis (SG/SM/14124, 23 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14124.doc.htm
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on Syria following the report of the independent international commission of inquiry (23 February 2012):
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_61801.html
Secretary-General welcomes General Assembly resolution on Syria crisis, says critical for world to speak with one voice to end bloodshed (SG/SM/14113-GA/11208, 16 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14113.doc.htm
States must “act now” to protect Syrian population, Pillay tells General Assembly (13 February 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11819&;LangID=E
Secretary-General firmly condemns bomb attacks in Aleppo, Syria; reiterates ‘all violence is unacceptable and must cease immediately’ (SG/SM/14101, 10 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14101.doc.htm
The UN Secretary-General's Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, and on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward Luck, urge immediate action to end violence in Syria (10 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/Statement%20on%20Syria%2010%20Feb%202012%20-%20ENGLISH.pdf
UN human rights chief urges action to halt escalating violence in Syria (8 February 2012):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11804&;LangID=E
Secretary-General, appalled by mounting death toll from escalating violence in Syria, Strongly condemns heavy artillery use in ‘unacceptable’ attacks (SG/SM/14095, 6 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14095.doc.htm
Secretary-General expresses deep regret over Security Council’s ‘disappointing’ inability to adopt text on ending violence in Syria (SG/SM/14093-SC/10537, 4 February 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14093.doc.htm
Closing Gap between ‘Rulers and Ruled’ dispels uncertainty of social unhappiness, even of conflict, Secretary-General tells High-level Meeting in Beirut (SG/SM/14062, 16 January 2012):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sgsm14062.doc.htm
Syria: Pillay calls for urgent action to halt violence (12 December 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11705&;LangID=E
Secretary-General condemns Killing Friday of dozens of civilians in Syria, adding to ‘alarming’ death toll of well over 3,000 people (SG/SM/13911, 31 October 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13911.doc.htm
Pillay urges united international action to protect Syrians (14 October 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11493&;LangID=E
Address by Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 18th session of the Human Rights Council on the Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic (19 September 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11397&;LangID=E
UNESCO Director-General voices alarm at continuing abuse against journalists in Syria (31 August 2011):
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/director_general_voices_alarm_at_continuing_abuse_against_journalists_in_syria/
Statement by Ms. Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council 17th Special Session on “Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic” in Geneva (22 August 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11321&LangID=E
SRSG Coomaraswamy calls on Syrian authorities to end the bloodshed (17 August 2011):
http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/pr/2011-08-17267.html
Calling events in Syria ‘brutally shocking’, Secretary-General welcomes Security Council Statement, urging compliance with demand for full humanitarian access (SG/SM/13733-SC/10354, 3 August 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13733.doc.htm
The world is watching the carnage in Syria despite attempts to sever access, says Pillay (2 August 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11275&LangID=E
Secretary-General, strongly condemning use of force against civilians in Syria, calls on government to halt violent offensive ‘at once’ (SG/SM/13730, 1 August 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13730.doc.htm
Special Advisers of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, and on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward Luck, on the situation in Syria (21 July 2011):
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/OSAPG%20statement%20Syria%2022%20July%202011%20FINAL.pdf
Secretary-General, deeply concerned at escalating violence in Syria, says mass arrests of protesters not consistent with serious reform (SG/SM/13714, 20 July 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13714.doc.htm
Statement of Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the introduction of preliminary report on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic (15 June 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11156&LangID=E
Pillay urges Syria to halt its assault on its own people (9 June 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11127&LangID=E
Deeply concerned at events in Occupied Syrian Golan, Secretary-General condemns use of violence as he calls for ‘maximum restraint’ on all sides (SG/SM/13621, 6 June 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13621.doc.htm
Secretary-General, ‘deeply troubled’ at escalating violence in Syria, calls for immediate end to repression by security, military forces (SG/SM/13618, 3 June 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13618.doc.htm
Special Advisers of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, and on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward Luck, on the situation in Syria (2 June 2011):
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/pdf/OSAPG%20statement%20Syria%202%20June%202011%20FINAL%20ENGLISH.pdf
Statement by the Deputy High Commissioner for the Human Rights Council Special Session on Syria (Media Centre, 29 April 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true
Secretary-General condemns Syria killings, calls for end to violence (SG/SM/13521,25 April 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13521.doc.htm
Pillay denounces escalation of Government crackdown in Syria, calls for immediate end to killings (Media Centre, 25 April 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10958&LangID=E
Secretary-General deplores violence against peaceful demonstrators in Syria, says there is no alternative to immediate, inclusive dialogue on reforms (SG/SM/13492, 4 April 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13492.doc.htm
Continued killings of protestors risks sending Syria into downward spiral – Pillay (Media Centre, 26 March 2011):
http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10898&LangID=E
Secretary-General condemns violence in Southern Syria, urges investigation (SG/SM/13472, 23 March 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13472.doc.htm
Concerned about reported killing of protesters in Syria, Secretary-General says use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators ‘unacceptable’ (SG/SM/13459, 18 March 2011):
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sgsm13472.doc.htm
Secretary-General's "off-the-cuff" remarks:
http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/archive.asp?cuff=1

Selected UN Documents

UN Member States on the Record: Syrian Arab Republic
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/unms/syrianarabrepublic.shtml
key documents related to its membership in the UN; statements made before the principal organs; draft resolutions sponsored; periodic reports submitted on Human Rights conventions, etc.

Selected Articles in UN Journals

Syria: Peacemaking in Transition (Politically Speaking - Bulletin of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs, Fall 2012):
http://www.un.org/wcm/webdav/site/undpa/shared/undpa/pdf/Politically%20Speaking%20Fall%202012.pdf
Syria: “Political Settlement Only Way to End Conflict”; Interviews with Deputy Special Envoy Jean-Marie Guéhenno & Deputy Special Envoy Nasser Al Kidwa (DPA E-News, July 2012):
http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/main/enewsletter/news0612_syria

Further Information

News Focus: Syria
http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=146&;Body=Syria&Body1=
- Statements by the Joint Special Representative for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi (as of 1 September 2012):
  http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/Syria/press.asp?sID=45
Statement issued by the Office of the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis (23 February - 31 August 2012):
http://kofiannanfoundation.org/
News Focus: Winds of change: North Africa & Middle East
http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=129&Body=North+Africa&Body1=change
UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/undof/
UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/untso/
http://untso.unmissions.org/

Non-UN Sources

League of Arab States – Situation in Syria
http://www.arableagueonline.org

Security Council Report – Syria
http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/syria/

13 June 2013

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