As regime violence continue to escalate in Syria, emergency assistance is desperately needed to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.
The regime continue to create an appalling humanitarian disaster. Tanks, mortars and heavy artillery continue to target civilians in residential areas, including women and children.
Security forces have cut off electricity and communications, sabotaged water supplies, invaded hospitals, and forced thousands of Syrians to flee their homes.
According to UN, crimes against humanity is proliferating. Reports now say troops are massing for even more deadly assaults.
The Arab League together with the United States are speaking with one voice: Assad regime’s brutal assault must stop and a democratic transition must begin.
In her remarks at the Intervention at the Friends of Syrian People Meeting in Tunisia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton states that the Assad regime has ignored every warning, squandered every opportunity, and broken every agreement.
“Faced with determined protesters demanding their rights and their dignity. The people of Syria are looking to us in their hour of need. We cannot let them down.” -Ms. Clinton
The first meeting of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People was held in Tunis on 24 February 2012, with the participation of more than 60 countries and representatives from the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the European Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab Maghreb Union and the Cooperation Council for the Arab Gulf States to discuss the worsening situation in Syria.
The meeting reaffirmed the core principles that the international community, United States and Arab League have agreed on.
Ms. Clinton states that the international strongly echo the Arab League’s demand that the Syrian Government immediately halt all attacks against civilians; guarantee the freedom of peaceful demonstrations; release all arbitrarily detained citizens; return its military and security forces to their barracks; and allow full and unhindered access for monitors, humanitarian workers, and journalists.
“We call for a negotiated political solution to this crisis and an inclusive democratic transition to address the legitimate aspirations of Syria’s people in an environment free from violence, fear, intimidation, and extremism.” -Ms. Clinton
She cites that the United States is firmly committed to the sovereignty, independence, national unity, and territorial integrity of Syria.
The group in the meeting discussed concrete action along three lines: provide emergency humanitarian relief, ratchet up pressure on the regime, and prepare for a democratic transition.
Ms. Clinton states that conditions in Syria are dire and getting worse.
She stresses that rhe regime is doing everything it can to prevent aid from reaching those who need it. It is going after aid workers, doctors, and journalists reporting on the suffering.
“We cannot wait for this crisis to become an even greater catastrophe. Today I am announcing that the United States is providing $10 million to quickly scale up humanitarian efforts, including support for refugees.” -Ms. Clinton
The funds will help support makeshift medical facilities, train emergency medical staff, and get clean water, food, blankets, heaters, and hygiene kits to Syrian civilians in need.
“This is not the end. The United States will provide more humanitarian support in coming days.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton noted that second line of action is to increase the pressure on the Assad regime, deepening its isolation.
“Let us send clear message: You will pay a heavy cost for ignoring the will of the international community and violating the human rights of your people.” -Ms. Clinton
Sanctions are imposed previously against the Syrian regime which include travel bans on senior members of the regime, freeze their assets, boycott Syrian oil, suspend new investments, and consider closing embassies and consulates.
“There should be no mistaking our resolve: These crimes against the Syrian people must stop and there must be accountability for senior figures of the regime.” -Ms. Clinton
On November 2011, Arab League’s announced to suspend Syria.
Arab League took a strong and historic stance aimed at stopping the violence in Syria and protecting Syrian civilians.
Since the protests began on 26th January this year, the Assad regime’s violent response has lead to the death of more than 3,500 people. Many more have been injured, and thousands of protesters have been detained.
Protesters are demanding that President Bashar al-Assad step down, that parties other than the ruling Baath Party be allowed and more political freedom. They also want equal rights for Kurdish people.
United States fully shares and supports the role of the Arab League on Syria. The United States believes that the Arab league is taking an important responsibility on its shoulders and trying to find ways to protect the citizens of Syria.
