Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Sous-comité des droits internationaux de la personne du Comité permanent des affaires étrangères et du développement international

For immediate release

Ottawa, March 01, 2018 -

Over the past two weeks, the Syrian regime backed by its Russian and Iranian allies have killed hundreds of civilians in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus where 400,000 civilians have been under siege since 2013. On 1 March 2018, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development held an emergency meeting on the humanitarian situation caused by these attacks.

The Subcommittee heard vivid testimony regarding the targeting of civilians and critical humanitarian services and personnel, in violation of a humanitarian truce. Witnesses described the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons, as well as the targeting of medical facilities. The Subcommittee condemns these brazen violations of international humanitarian law, and extends its support and gratitude for humanitarian workers protecting civilians. The Subcommittee calls for the full implementation of the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and the end of all sieges across Syria, including in eastern Ghouta.

QUOTES

“Canada strongly condemns the recent actions of the Assad regime and its allies in eastern Ghouta. The targeting of civilians and indiscriminate bombings are clear violations of international humanitarian law. The appalling disregard for human life shown by the Assad regime, Russia and Iran must stop and the ceasefire must immediately be respected.”

-Michael Levitt, MP, Chair

“The horror experienced by the people of eastern Ghouta is beyond words. Airstrikes must stop immediately and humanitarian aid must be allowed into the area.”

-David Sweet, MP, Vice-Chair

“I urge Canada, using the evidence we have heard today, to fund women’s activists on the ground in Syria, as this will be in keeping with its feminist foreign policy. There are countless stories of women activists in Ghouta creating soup kitchens, leading hospitals, and organizing in their communities.

We must fund and empower justice and human rights investigators, to ensure crimes committed during this war will be prosecuted. We must document and never forget these crimes.”

-Cheryl Hardcastle, MP, Vice-Chair