Minister Baird Statement on Assad Regime's Attack on Civilians Across Turkish Border

News Release

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**October 3, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“After killing tens of thousands of Syrian civilians, the brutal and repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad continues the slaughter of its own people, and now it takes its assault beyond its borders.

“The Assad regime today launched mortar attacks across the Turkish border.

“Canada strongly condemns this attack by the Assad regime—which killed five people, including a six year old child—across Turkey’s border.

“We offer our sincere condolences to those affected, and we stand with Turkey and our other regional partners.

“All countries must bring pressure to bear on Syria for Assad to go. Canada has some of the strongest sanctions on Syria in the world. We are working with our international partners to continue to isolate this dangerous regime and to end the bloodshed of its own people and its neighbours.

“The statement from NATO allies speaks for itself.

“Canada calls for calm and for the Assad regime to stop drawing the region into his self-inflicted conflict and war on the Syrian people.

“The Syrian people deserve better than this illegitimate and murderous regime. Canada will continue to champion the freedom and human rights of all Syrians.”