Statement by the Spokespersons of Catherine Ashton and Kristalina Georgieva on the kidnapping of ICRC and SARC staff and volunteers in Syria

Brussels, 14 October 2013

131014/04

STATEMENT

by the Spokespersons of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton

and Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva on the kidnapping of ICRC

and SARC staff and volunteers in Syria

The Spokespersons of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy and the Commissioner responsible for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid

and Crisis Response made today the following statement:

"The High Representative and the Commissioner condemn the kidnapping of six ICRC staff

members and one SARC volunteer near Sareqeb in Idlib but are pleased to learn that 4 have

been released.

The High Representative and the Commissioner call for an immediate and unconditional

release of the remaining kidnapped humanitarian workers. Staff and volunteers of

humanitarian aid organisations are at the forefront of delivering aid and assistance to areas

most affected by the conflict in Syria. More than 2 million Syrians inside Syria do not have

access to any form of assistance. Such acts have no justification.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 584 9780- [email protected] @EUHighRepSpox

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected] @AshtonSpox_Maja

Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 - [email protected]

Nabila Massrali +32 460 75 41 75 – [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @eu_eeas

www.facebook.com/EuropeanExternalActionService

www.eeas.europa.eu

EN

The High Representative and the Commissioner remind the warring parties of the recent UN

Security Council Presidential Statement, which strongly insists that the provision of

humanitarian aid must be facilitated by all, and that IHL must be respected.

The High Representative and the Commissioner also reiterate their call to release all

kidnapped civilians including religious figures and journalists."

___________________

2|P a g e

بيان مشترك للمتحدثين باسم الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون والمفوضة كريستالينا جورجيفا يدين خطف موظفي اللجنة الدولية للصليب الأحمر ومتطوعي الهلال الأحمر العربي السوري في سورية.