LOC16:25
13:25 GMT
BRUSSELS, March 15 (KUNA) -- The European Union Saturday called for the
establishment of a "transitional governing body, and a genuine Syrian-led
inclusive political process to establish a democratic and pluralistic Syria."
"The horrific conflict in Syria is entering its fourth year. With more than
100,000 dead, 2 million refugees and 9.3 million Syrians in need of
humanitarian assistance, half of them children, the tragedy in Syria has no
parallel in recent history," noted EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy, in a statement.
" I am extremely concerned by the findings of the international independent
Commission of Inquiry, whose seventh report confirmed the regime's
indiscriminate use of murder, torture, rape, hostage-taking, and sexual
violence," said the EU foreign policy chief.
" These are crimes against humanity, war crimes and blatant breaches of
international human rights and humanitarian law. A crisis which began with a
vicious military crackdown against peaceful protesters has been exacerbated by
terrorism and a growing number of foreign fighters," she said.
" War crimes committed by non-state armed groups which do not seek a free,
democratic and prosperous Syria are adding to the ongoing tragedy of the
Syrian people," noted the statement.
Ashton said that the international community has a responsibility to bring
the Syrian crisis to an end and called on all parties," especially the Syrian
government, which bears the primary responsibility for the humanitarian
tragedy, to swiftly fulfil all obligations imposed on them by UNSC resolution
2139."
The EU is particularly concerned at the plight of the most vulnerable
groups. More than ten thousand women have died in the conflict; 4.3 million
children, most of them displaced from their homes, are in desperate need of
food, shelter and education, she stated.
With support now totaling more than 2.6 billion euro, the EU is the leading
donor to the victims both inside and outside Syria.
"We salute the people and governments of the countries neighbouring Syria
for hosting an ever-growing number of refugees. The EU will continue to
support the host communities in their efforts to cope with this situation,"
she said.
Ashton added that while there has been some progress on the destruction of
chemical weapon materials, it is vital that the Syrian regime complies with
the 30 June 2014 deadline as specified in UNSC resolution 2118. (end)
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