QNA/Geneva

Qatar yesterday reiterated that the Assad regime bears responsibility for violations, crimes and humanitarian tragedies in Syria.
This came in a speech delivered here by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other organisations in Geneva Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah al-Henzab at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council.
The Qatari ambassador said that the Syrian people were forced to defend themselves against violence, killings and intimidation in a response to their peaceful and legitimate demands.
He stressed that the Syrian regime is committing terrorism and works to create sectarian strife and an environment that helped in the emergence and spread of terrorist and extremist groups such as the IS.
Al-Henzab strongly condemned all violations committed by the regime in an attempt to spread chaos and instability in Syria and in the region, adding that the Assad regime lost its legitimacy long ago before its people and the international community.
The Qatari UN envoy emphasised that the departure of Assad regime is the first step towards implementation of the Geneva 1 statement and formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, which will provide an opportunity to build a new Syria.
He noted that the Assad regime is still committing the most heinous massacres against Syrian people such as the Douma market massacre which killed 111 civilian and injured hundreds including women, children and elderly men.
Al-Henzab called on the international community, in particular the UN Security Council to protect the Syrian people and said those responsible must be held accountable for crimes and human rights violations in Syria and should be brought before criminal justice.