Declaration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union, on the unfolding situation in Syria

EN

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 29 April 2011

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Declaration by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs

and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the

European Union, on the unfolding situation in Syria

The EU expresses its grave concern about the situation unfolding in Syria and the

deployment of military and security forces in a number of Syrian cities. It strongly

condemns unacceptable violence against peaceful demonstrators, the increasing number of

fatalities and calls on the Syrian security forces to exercise restraint instead of repression.

The EU urges the Syrian Government to address the legitimate demands of the Syrian

people through political reforms which must be brought forward and implemented without

delay in the framework of a process of inclusive national dialogue.

The EU deeply regrets that the lifting of the Emergency Law has not translated into

practice.

The EU reminds the Syrian authorities of their obligation to respect Human Rights and

fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and the rights of peaceful

assembly, as well as free access of the media and to respect the integrity and dignity of

arrested persons and their right to a fair legal process. The EU calls for an immediate

release of political prisoners and human rights defenders.

In light of the continuing violence and in order to promote a democratic process, the EU

has launched its internal procedures for an embargo on arms and equipment used for

internal repression and will urgently consider further appropriate and targeted measures

with the aim of achieving an immediate change of policy by the Syrian leadership. In

addition, the EU will not take further steps with regard to taking forward the Association

Agreement. The EU will review all aspects of its cooperation with the Syrian authorities

including under the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument.

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The EU welcomes the adoption of the resolution by the special session of the UN Human

Rights Council on 29 April on the situation in Syria, including the sending by the UN

Commissioner for Human Rights of a fact-finding mission to investigate all violations of

international human rights and to establish facts. The EU recalls that all members of the

Human Rights Council should abide with the highest Human Rights standards.

The Candidate Countries Croatia*, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*,

Montenegro* and Iceland+, the Country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and

potential candidate Albania, and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European

Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro continue to be

part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+

Iceland continues to be a member of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.

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إعلان من الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون باسم الاتحاد الأوروبي يعبّر عن القلق من نشر القوات العسكرية والأمنية في المدن السورية، ويدين العنف ضد المتظاهرين، ويعلن أن الاتحاد سيتخذ إجراءات بينها حظر الأسلحة.