The protracted politicking and negotiations have finally resulted in a Security Council resolution allowing UN monitors to be sent to Aleppo.
The resolution follows a weekend of intense negotiation under the threat of a third Russian veto in three months.
“The world is watching how the UN responds to the plight of Aleppo. This important measure has come far too late, with hundreds of thousands of people demanding the Syrian and Russian governments allow a safe evacuation and independent monitoring. But thousands are still trapped in besieged areas of Eastern Aleppo, waiting for hours in sub-zero temperatures to be evacuated,” said Sherine Tadros, Head of Amnesty International’s UN office in New York.
“Evacuations have been taking place now for days and in that time we have seen convoys being attacked – why has it taken so long for this necessary step to be taken? UN monitors should not just observe but also be allowed to investigate war crimes being committed.
“Now that it has finally agreed to act on Aleppo, the UN Security Council needs to build on this first step and urgently send monitors to all areas of evacuation, not just Aleppo.”
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For media requests, please contact:
Jacob Kuehn, Media Relations (Ottawa), +1 613-744-7667 ext. 236, jkuehn@amnesty.ca
