At the outset, HE Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, said in his statement at the side event on Bridging the gap between Human Rights Investigations/reporting and criminal accountability for core crimes-The example of UN cooperation in the context of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the sidelines of the 40th session of the Human Rights Council that it is abundantly clear to all that the gross human rights violations and the crimes committed against the Syrian people for nine years, both by the Syrian regime and its allies or   by terrorist groups, are increasing and escalating in light of total impunity, both nationally and internationally
HE said that in view of the inability or unwillingness of the national judicial system in Syria to assume its legal responsibilities, prosecute and hold those responsible for these violations and heinous crimes, and the failure of the international community to refer the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the State of Qatar has supported all efforts aimed to promote accountability in Syria, pointing out that the Principality of Liechtenstein and the State of Qatar submitted a resolution to the UN General Assembly to establish an independent and impartial mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for crimes against humanity in Syria. Resolution 71/248 was adopted on December 21, 2016, with 105 countries voting in favour, HE added.
The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva noted that the success and progress made regarding the mechanism's work would pave the way and encourage many States and other stakeholders to exert further efforts, procedures and legal measures, including investigations by a number of States within the framework of the universal jurisdiction as a rule of law mechanism to ensure fair justice and to combat impunity for crimes and serious violations of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights.
Close cooperation between the international mechanism and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria and cooperation with States, relevant actors and Syrian civil society organizations with a view to organizing the exchange of information and evidence would have a significant impact on ensuring accountability, justice and redress for Syrian victims, HE Ambassador Al Mansouri said, pointing out that this is a prerequisite for reaching a political solution in accordance with the Geneva Declaration 1 and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and for achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace in Syria.
HE appreciated the position of all countries and parties that provided financial support to the international mechanism, calling for continued support to enable it to carry out its mandate and tasks in the best way.
HE underlined that an international conference on "national, regional and international mechanisms to combat impunity and ensure accountability under international law" will be held on April 14-15 in Doha in cooperation and coordination between Qatar National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the European Parliament. Many representatives of States, non-governmental organizations, experts and lawyers will participate in the conference.