Canada outraged by attacks on medical workers and aid convoy in Syria and urgently calls for demonstrable commitments to viable ceasefire

Statement

---------

September 21, 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, issued a statement following yesterday’s attack that killed medical workers from the International Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations and Monday’s attack on a United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Syria:

“At a meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) yesterday in New York City, I expressed to Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria, Canada’s outrage at the brutal airstrike on a humanitarian aid convoy in Syria, near Aleppo, on September 19, 2016,” said Minister Dion. “On behalf of Canada, I offer my sincere condolences for the resulting loss of life.”

Ministers Dion and Bibeau added, “Over the last five years, the Assad regime has repeatedly targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, including aid workers, convoys and facilities. Canada has consistently condemned, in the strongest terms, these unlawful and despicable attacks.

“In the last days, we have met with world leaders, including at the UN General Assembly, the ISSG co-chaired by Russia and the United States, the G7 foreign ministers meeting, and with Dr. Riyad Hijab and other members of the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian opposition to discuss with urgency the crisis in Syria. During these meetings, we condemned violations of international and humanitarian law in the strongest terms. 

“We consistently reminded all parties that we are at a dangerous crossroads and called upon Russia, the Syrian regime and elements of the opposition to make the difficult decisions in the next days that demonstrate their commitment to a viable ceasefire that can be implemented and monitored. This is the only way to prevent a worsening of the senseless loss of life and suffering that has characterized this brutal war.”