Canada Condemns Ongoing Violence in Syria

News Release

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**May 4, 2013 -** Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:

“Canada condemns the ongoing violence in Syria in light of the rise in attacks on religious groups over the last few weeks.

“The Syrian people have a strong culture of acceptance and coexistence that is at odds with recent attacks singling out individual groups.

“Massacres in towns largely inhabited by one religious group, desecration of holy sites belonging to others, and targeting of religious figures are all abhorrent actions that seek to drive a wedge between the different communities that make up Syria.

“We call upon all parties to the conflict to seek to protect all civilians, community leaders, and holy sites in order to avoid pushing the country into a sectarian war that will cause permanent rifts among Syrians.”