Ms Gráinne O'Hara:

Senator Bacik is essentially asking a political question to a humanitarian actor. Anyway, I understand the context of the question. As a representative of UNHCR, it is not my business to comment on the role or position of any government. However, clearly the solution to the Syrian crisis has to involve the Syrian Government. It is a fundamental player in everything that has happened during the course of the past six years.

With respect to the extreme violations that have taken place within Syria, the UNHCR, alongside the Secretary General and other actors of the UN, especially our sister agency, the UN High Commission on Human Rights, has constantly spoken out against the violations perpetrated by all sides in the Syrian conflict. The violation of human rights and the suffering of Syrian civilians must be brought to a close as soon as possible.