SOLIDARITY STATEMENT OF IID AND APSOC #WITHSYRIA ON THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

by | Mar 14, 2014 | Press Releases, Self-determination and Solidarity

Today marks the third year since the Syrian civil war, tagged as the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century. Today, we join the chorus of voices from all over the globe for a loud and united call upon world leaders to not let another year be lost to further bloodshed.

For three years now, many innocent people in Syria have lost their lives, limbs and even their future. Thousands continue to suffer. More than a hundred thousand lives were lost. Tens of thousands of human rights advocates have been tortured and imprisoned. Thousands of women were reported to be raped; countless more cases remain to be undocumented. Around half of the population, including elderly and children, were forced to flee from their homes; millions are still internally displaced, while others have fled to neighboring countries — uprooted from their communities and livelihood and faced with an unsure future ahead. Those who remain behind are left in poor, squalid living conditions, with shortage of food and drinking water and without sufficient access to medical care. Each day, the people of Syria live through indescribable horror.

Thus, today, we call on the leaders of the world to unite and act more firmly before it’s too late. We call for them to weigh on the conflict actors in Syria to demand the following:

· An end to violence and bloodshed. We call for an end on attacks on civilians, including on humanitarian workers and facilities such as schools and hospitals, and respect for humanitarian law and the rights of those affected by conflict.

· An end to blocking of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian organizations must be allowed to safely reach all those in need of assistance. Obstructions to civilians getting the aid they need must be eliminated. All attacks on aid workers must end. Sufficient funds for the massive international aid response required in Syria and the region must be met.

· A commitment to inclusive peace talks. The voice of those affected by conflict especially the youth, women and civil society must be heard.

We must not allow the people of Syria lose another year to bloodshed and suffering.

Today, we stand in solidarity with the children, men and women of Syria. We stand #WithSyria.

Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)