MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council is responsible for putting an end to the crisis in Syria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Hussein said Friday.
"Many acts in Syria constitute war crimes. Responsibility for halting the Syrian crisis rests primarily with the Security Council," Zeid said in a video address to the special Human Rights Council session.
According to a statement, issued by the commissioner's office following the session, Zeid called on members of the Human Rights Council to urge UNSC states to leave the differences behind and seek crisis settlement in Syria.
"I urge you to call on the Security Council to set aside rivalries and act as one, in accordance with international security and peace. Influence must be used to advance a political solution to the conflict. Flows of arms and equipment to the parties to the conflict must cease," he pointed out.
Regarding Aleppo, he added that "there must be an immediate, prolonged and all-encompassing ceasefire to enable the passage of humanitarian relief to all in need – impartially and unconditionally."
"All parties must provide assistance and free passage for all civilians wishing to flee, without any form of reprisal – including passage across international borders. It should also be clear that they retain the right to return to their city – and that civilians who choose to remain in Aleppo must also be protected, under international humanitarian law," Zeid said.
On Thursday, Russia agreed to halt airstrikes on Islamist positions for 11 hours a day until Monday. Eight humanitarian corridors were opened up to allow civilians and militants willing to lay down their arms leave eastern Aleppo.
Since the war's beginning it has claimed lives of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The international community has undertaken steps to end the Syrian conflict and to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Middle Eastern country.
