Joint statement by Minister Dion and Minister Bibeau on bombing of hospital in Syria, killing and injuring humanitarian aid workers

Statement

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February 15, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today issued the following statement following the bombing of a hospital supported by Médecins sans frontières in Syria:

“Canada strongly condemns the continued targeting of health facilities and personnel in the Syrian conflict. Again, we call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and provide humanitarian workers with safe, full and unhindered access to those in need in Syria.

“Humanitarian staff work in extremely dangerous situations and put their lives on the line to help those in need: over 80 humanitarian staff and volunteers have died in Syria since the start of the crisis.

“We call for an immediate end to attacks on civilians and bombings, and the termination of siege tactics.

“As agreed in Munich on February 11 by the International Syria Support Group, which includes Russia, all parties need to work toward the ceasefire between the regime and the opposition. The peace process cannot proceed with the regime’s continued military offensives in Syria, including aerial bombardment by Russian and Assad-regime forces.‎”