The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Syria constitutional talks reconvene after COVID-19 suspension
UN-facilitated talks to discuss a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution for war-torn Syria reconvened at UN Geneva on Thursday after being suspended three days earlier when four participants tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking to journalists, UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, stressed the desire among participants to continue with the work of the Third Session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, after a nine-month break.
He envisaged this happening into Saturday “with all necessary precautionary strict measures strictly observed”.
The UN negotiator also explained that those individuals who had tested positive for the new coronavirus would not be taking part in proceedings “out of an abundance of caution”, even though secondary testing had shown that they no longer posed any risk.
“We have a clear agenda for this session and the Small Body had a constructive first meeting on the agenda when they met on Monday,” Mr. Pedersen said, highlighting that these had resulted in “useful points” being raised and some good “interactions”.
“Key international players” following the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process had also expressed their keen interest in the discussions resuming, Mr. Pedersen continued.
In an earlier Press conference ahead of the latest discussions, he noted his intention to meet representatives from Russia, Iran and Turkey and the United States in Geneva, while stressing the “completely independent” work of the Constitutional Committee.
The convening on Monday of the Small Group of the Syrian Constitutional Committee brings together 15 representatives from Syria’s Government, 15 from the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) and 15 more civil society participants, known as the “middle third”.
A larger group of 150 delegates is also part of the process, but only the smaller group is meeting in Geneva.
Both bodies are meeting on the basis of an agreement between the Government of Syria and the opposition to implement a key part of Security Council resolution 2254 (from 2015), which called for setting a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution.
The latest round of discussions represents the first time that delegates have met after a hiatus of nine months, caused by differences over the agenda which were resolved by March – and then by COVID restrictions.
- Wide shot: exterior, flag alley, Palais des Nations, United Nations Geneva.
- Medium-wide shot, showing a seated and masked UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, sitting at the podium in Press Room III, UN Geneva, with spokesperson Jenifer Fenton seated apart from him. Photographers take pictures of the Special Envoy.
- SOUNDBITE (EN) - UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen: “Thank you so much Jenifer and thanks to all of you for your understanding. Obviously, the safety for all of us here in the Palais has been our major concern and our top priority. That is why we took no chances and immediately suspended the meeting on the Constitutional Committee of the Small Body on Monday. I’m extremely grateful for the professionalism of the medical advice and the support that we are receiving from the Swiss authorities and from the United Nations Office in Geneva and its medical services. In light of that advice, we are resuming, today, the Third Session of the Constitutional Committee Small Body, with all necessary precautionary strict measures strictly observed, as they were observed in the initial meeting. And thank you for your support, from your side, in observing those strict measures as well. I should add that, while the secondary testing done in recent days indicates that the earlier positive cases do not pose any risk, we are at this stage proceeding here in the Palais des Nations only with those who have tested negative. This is out of an abundance of caution and based on the advice of the United Nations medical authorities. I thank the two co-chairs and indeed the Constitutional Committee Small Body members for their cooperation during this temporary, but necessary, delay, while we addressed the immediate health issues. I equally appreciate their strong desire to resume the work of the Constitutional Committee and I think that is a signal of the importance of this process. I have also received a strong signal of support from key international players for the United Nations’ facilitation of this Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process, and this is indeed very much appreciated. We have a clear agenda for this session and the Small Body had a constructive first meeting on the agenda when they met on Monday. There were some useful points raised and some good interactions. I believe all members are keen to resume the work and have substantive discussions during the remainder of this session. And so, with full safety precautions in place, after extensive medical advice, we are getting back to work now, today, actually in five minutes. And after consultations with the two co-chairs just now, I believe we most probably will be doing sessions today, tomorrow and on Saturday. I hope to get back to you soon when these things are finalised. But as I said, thank you for your cooperation and I hope to talk to you soon.”
- Medium shot: journalist wearing facemask, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist wearing facemask, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist with facemask pulled down, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist with facemask hanging from one ear, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium-wide shot: journalists wearing facemasks, seated apart from each other, working on laptops, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Friday called for an end to continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, where “unchecked” settler violence has surged since the war in Gaza began more than two years ago.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
The crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to worsen amid ongoing fighting that has driven tens of thousands of people from their homes and created acute hunger, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | WFP
Gaza: One million receive food parcels as humanitarians race to ‘push back hunger’
Food is slowly returning to the shelves in Gaza amid “apocalyptic scenes” but supplies are still desperately inadequate, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday, as they issued fresh calls for wider access and continued financial support.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango today told the bi-weekly UN press briefing in Geneva of more details that are emerging on the atrocities committed in El Fasher, in Sudan during and after its takeover by the Rapid Support Forces.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Seif Magango made the following comment on Friday at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani made the following comment on Friday at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , WHO
Sudan: UN Raises Alarm Over Mass Atrocities in El Fasher as Survivors Report Executions, Killings and Rapes
More details continue to emerge about atrocities committed during and after the fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on 23 October. Since the powerful paramilitary group made a major incursion into the city last week, the UN Human Rights Office has received “horrendous accounts of summary executions, mass killings, rapes, attacks against humanitarian workers, looting, abductions and forced displacement,” said Seif Magango, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA
Ukraine: Russian attacks on energy terrorize population as winter starts; could trigger major ‘crisis within crisis’
The UN’s top aid official in Ukraine expressed concern on Friday about “continuous attacks” on energy production sites and distribution facilities.
1
1
1
Edited News | HRC
Navi Pillay Retires After Decades Defending Human Rights and Pursuing Justice
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The telecommunications shutdowns in Afghanistan in September had serious and far-reaching impacts on people’s lives, according to a briefing paper published today by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence at the UN Geneva press briefing made the following comment on the ASEAN declaration on the right to a healthy environment.
1
1
1
Edited News | IFRC , OCHA , WMO
‘Catastrophic’ Hurricane Melissa hours from landfall in Jamaica as humanitarians rush to save lives
Millions in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are bracing for massive impact from Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday as the UN and partners are warning of a “severe” and “immediate” humanitarian threat.