Christian leaders in Syria call for the end of ‘unjust’ sanctions
Publication Date: 9/2/2023
Source: The Catholic Leader
THREE prominent Christian leaders in Syria issued a joint statement calling for an end to sanctions impacting relief aid to earthquake victims.
The February 7 letter was signed by Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef I, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X.
“This natural disaster adds to the ordeal of the Syrian people, who continue to suffer from the tragedies of war, crises, disasters, epidemics, and the harsh economic hardships resulting from inflation, the absence of indispensable materials, medications, and daily basic necessities needed in order for people to survive and live in dignity,” the letter said.
“We, the three patriarchs with the heads of churches in Syria, demand from the United Nations and the countries imposing sanctions on Syria to lift the embargo and unjust sanctions imposed on the Syrian people, and to take exceptional measures and immediate initiatives to secure the delivery of the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid.”
The Middle East Council of Churches also called for an end to sanctions against Syria.
“We urge the immediate lifting of sanctions on Syria and allowing access to all materials, so sanctions may not turn into a crime against humanity,” the February 6 statement said.
The recent 7.8- magnitude earthquake was the deadliest earthquake disaster in a decade, leaving at least 12,000 people dead in Türkiye and Syria.
However, humanitarian experts said much-needed relief and aid were impacted by long-standing sanctions against Syria.
The United States imposed various sanctions on the Syrian Government since the start of the country’s 2011 civil war, citing widely documented human rights abuses perpetrated by President Bashar Al-Assad against his own people.
The latest slate of sanctions was known as the Caesar Act which sought to “compel the government of Bashar al-Assad to halt its murderous attacks on the Syrian people and to support a transition to a government in Syria that respects the rule of law, human rights, and peaceful coexistence with its neighbours”.
Various EU and other countries imposed similar sanctions.
Although the Caesar Act exempted humanitarian aid from the sanctions, humanitarian advocates said aid was often hampered due to “over-compliance” on the part of banks and other actors because of the aid’s connection to Syria.
Belarusian professor of international law Alena Douhan said many organisations were concerned about the high cost of operations and challenges to financial transactions and delivery of goods.
“They [organisations] report foreign banks are often reluctant to process payments destined for Syria, particularly following Lebanon’s banking crisis and the spillover effects on Syria,” Professor Douhan said.
“Restrictions and delays in processing payments with suppliers, which can take months, lead to a restricted and less competitive market, rising costs, putting at risk the implementation of lifesaving humanitarian interventions.”
Pope Francis prayed for the thousands of victims during an appearance at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
“Let’s pray together so that these brothers and sisters can move forward from this tragedy,” he said.
“ We pray that Our Lady will protect them.”
