Statement from Civil Society Organisations in Northeastern Syria

Statement from Civil Society Organisations in Northeastern Syria

We are civil society organisations in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor serving hundreds of thousands

of residents. Since the liberation of our towns from Isis two years ago, our teams have

taken on the difficult work of rebuilding our towns and cities and providing services to all

their residents. Our work includes clearing rubble, rebuilding homes, schools and

hospitals, providing electricity, ensuring clean water supplies and funding small

businesses. We treat trauma and struggle to promote the rights of women and children

rights which suffered and continue to suffer from severe violations as a result of the

conflict.

In recent days our towns and cities have responded to the displacement crisis triggered by

the military incursion and battles in northeastern Syria. We have welcomed six thousand

displaced families into Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces who are now also benefiting from

the services we provide.

In order to be able to continue serving the civilians of northeast Syria, we demand

protection for our humanitarian and civil society workers from all parties to the conflict. Civil

society workers and humanitarians have been deliberately targeted by all sides of this

conflict. We have been forcibly disappeared, tortured and even killed. Only this week we

breathed a sigh of relief as three of our colleagues were released by the Syrian

Democratic Forces, yet we continue to worry about the wellbeing of our staff. We fear in

particular for the lives of our staff members as a result of shifts in military control of our

areas.

Our towns and cities have always been forgotten and marginalised. Our communities

endured Isis's reign of terror under which we witnessed everything from public executions

and crucifixions to rape and torture. The aerial campaign to wrest the city back from Isis

left our homes in rubble. Our organisations were set up to heal the wounds of this violence

and restore life and hope back to our communities.

This month marks two years since the liberation of our towns and cities from Isis. Instead

of marking this moment, we are witnessing another wave of violence which will no doubt

cause more senseless suffering to civilians who have survived multiple waves of violence

and multiple occupiers. Yet whatever the risks may be, we are determined and prepared to

continue providing services to the civilians of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor.

The protection of all civilians and humanitarian workers are rights guaranteed to us by the

Geneva Conventions. Our community organisations are of the people and for the people

and are not affiliated with any political or armed groups. We therefore reiterate our demand

for the protection of our teams and all civilians by all parties to the armed conflicts.

Signed

OX GEN

SHABAB

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