Protection of civilians in Syria must be the priority on International Human Rights Day

Press Statement

Mouaffaq Nyrabia

Syrian Coalition’s Representative to Benelux and the EU

December 10, 2015

Commenting on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, the Syrian National Coalition's Representative to Benelux and the EU, Mouaffaq Nyrabia, said:

“Today, as the international community illustrates its commitment to the universal respect of human rights, the Syrian National Coalition reiterates the need for the protection of those same human rights in Syria. The promotion of freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want, all remain the cornerstone of the Syrian revolution.

"In March 2011, we Syrians took to the streets to peacefully demonstrate for the same rights and freedoms being celebrated today. However, our demands were met with brutality by the Assad regime. Syrians were punished for pursuing the dream of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Nearly five years later, widespread systematic violations of human rights - as depicted in the "Caesar" photographs - continue to be committed on a daily basis by the Assad regime. The dictator's brutal rule is what spawned the barbarity of extremists, such as ISIS, which threaten our global security.

"On this day celebrating International Human Rights, I urge the international community, including the EU, to prioritise the protection of Syrians from the primary killer of civilians: the indiscriminate aerial bombardments carried out by the Assad regime and Russia. By protecting civilians, the EU will guarantee the inherent right to life that every person should enjoy, and will help Syrians build a future Syria that respects the freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"