Syrian Coalition: Mass Forced Displacement Is a Crime against Humanity & Violation of International Law

Press Release

Media Department

Syrian Coalition

March 29, 2017

The Syrian Coalition renews its outright rejection and condemnation of any plan aimed at forcibly displacing civilians anywhere in Syria s an act of violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions and one which constitutes a crime against humanity. It is incumbent upon the international community to take urgent action to put an end to this crime.

No one will be able to legitimize the tactics the Assad regime uses to force civilians out of their homes and change the demographic landscape in many areas across Syria. The Assad regime exploits the shameful international silence to carry on with these tactics, which are being planned by Iran and backed by Russia.

Any attempt to force civilians out of their homes, including the so-called Kafriya-Alfoua Agreement reached recently, is a participation in the demographic change tactics as such attempts serve the Iranian regime's plans to seize control of populated areas and change their social and demographic identity. Iranian’s insistence on exclusively negotiating the terms of the agreement with Al-Qaeda reveals its plans to associate the revolution with terrorism.

Plans by the Assad regime and its allies, among other things, are clearly aimed at sabotaging the political process and ensuring the survival of the Assad regime at the expense of the future of Syria and its people. These policies risk fueling long-term conflicts serving international agendas and interests.

The Syrian Coalition renews calls upon the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution under Chapter IIV of the UN Charter demanding an end to all forms of killing, besiegement, and forced mass displacement. Such as resolution is also needed to ensure commitment by all parties to the ceasefire; the withdrawal of foreign militias from Syria; and forcing the Assad regime to commit to its undertakings concerning a political solution in Syria.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.