Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr. President,
New Zealand thanks the Head of the Mechanism, Robert Petit, for presenting the eleventh report of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic, and for his work as the head of the Mechanism.
New Zealand reiterates its strong support for the Mechanism’s essential work in pursuit of justice and accountability for international crimes committed in Syria. New Zealand remains steadfast in our support for international law and the judicial institutions which uphold the international rules based system.
This report comes at a time of significant change. As the report acknowledged, there is now an opportunity to deliver on the international community’s commitment to comprehensive justice and accountability in the Syrian Arab Republic. New Zealand welcomes the Secretary-General’s commitment to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom and prosperity are shared realities for all, as a path to sustainable peace.
New Zealand is pleased to note that the Head of the Mechanism visited the Syrian Arab Republic for the first time in late December 2024, and the positive initial engagements with the interim authorities since then. We encourage continued effort to enable the Mechanism to commence operations in accordance with its mandate in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Mr President, New Zealand supports the Mechanism’s work and we will continue to follow its progress closely.
Thank you.