August 2, 2016…A statement from over 35 Syrian, regional and international humanitarian, human rights and development organisations on the Russia-Syrian proposal to establish “humanitarian corridors” out of Aleppo:
We are extremely alarmed at Russia and Syria’s joint proposal to set up so-called “humanitarian corridors” out of eastern Aleppo. We consider the proposal deeply flawed on humanitarian grounds and consider it warning for the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to urgently step up efforts to end the use of brutal siege tactics and illegal attacks on civilians.
A true humanitarian operation would not force the people of Aleppo to choose between fleeing into the arms of their attackers or remaining in a besieged area under continued bombardment. No one should be forced to flee or remain, and measures must be put in place for the UN to ensure and monitor the safety and protection of anyone voluntarily evacuating.
Far from averting a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo, we are gravely concerned that the proposal for “humanitarian corridors” forewarns of a significant risk to civilians who remain. A ‘safe passage’ offer does not mean that those who stay behind become legitimate military targets. The city cannot be allowed to become another theatre for mass slaughter.
If Russia is serious about averting a humanitarian disaster in Aleppo it should strongly support the UN’s call for an immediate weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause to ensure safe, unimpeded and immediate humanitarian access – both for aid to get into Aleppo and for civilians to leave voluntarily.
As long as the bombing, shelling and fighting continues, and in the absence of any genuine confidence-building measures, civilians cannot be expected to trust in the safety of walking through these proposed corridors. All efforts of the ISSG must focus on pushing for a sustained ceasefire, and for an immediate end to the shameless and unacceptable attacks on hospitals and civilian targets.
Signed:
| ASML | Oxfam |
| AWO International | Physicians for Human Rights |
| Bridge of Peace | Refugees International |
| CAABU | Relief & Reconciliation for Syria |
| CARE International | Relief International |
| CCFD-Terre Solidaire | Rethink Rebuild Society |
| Christian Aid | Save the Children |
| Doctors of the World UK | Stichting Vluchteling |
| EuroMed Rights (EMHRN) | Syria Relief |
| Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | Syria Relief and Development |
| GOAL | Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) |
| Hand in Hand for Syria | Tearfund |
| Human Appeal International | The International Rescue Committee |
| Human Rights and Democracy Media Center | The Syria Campaign |
| “SHASM” /Palestine | Trocaire |
| Islamic Relief USA | Vision GRAM-International |
| Karam Foundation | WATAN |
| Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies | WILPF |
| NuDay Syria | World Vision |
-ENDS-
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