Australia thanks the Commission for its valuable reporting on Syria.

The Syrian conflict continues into its twelfth year. Prospects for peace remain distant and the tragic suffering of the Syrian people only worsens.

Australia remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation and continuing grave human rights violations, which disproportionately affect women and children. These egregious abuses must cease immediately.

We condemn the Assad regime’s indiscriminate attacks on densely populated civilian areas, including on schools, hospitals, and mosques.

We also denounce the destructive interference of its enablers, especially the ongoing military support from Russia.

Reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and torture across the country are appalling. We call upon all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Given the deplorable situation and continuing atrocities, we ask the Commission what steps the international community can take to help prevent the recurrence of violations, enhance the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms, and bring perpetrators of war crimes to justice?