Appeal to the “Friends of Syria” conference - Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

AFP

We the undersigned, representing 144 international and Arab NGOs from over 20 countries, call on the “Friends of Syria” conference, to be held on February 24^th in Tunis, to seek an international strategy to end the human rights violations in Syria. As fears of civil war grow, the “Friends of Syria” should exercise pressure on all groups responsible for the unlawful use of force against civilians to cease such acts of violence immediately. All groups should respect human rights and guard against sectarian violence.

We call on the “Friends of Syria” conference to formulate an international consensus on the Syrian crisis in support of ending human rights abuses and international crimes based on Arab League Resolution 7446 and UN General Assembly Resolution 11207. In particular, we urge the conference to:

Reiterate a unanimous call on the Syrian authorities to commit to the December 19 protocol agreement signed with the League of Arab States to immediately release all detainees held from the beginning of the uprising to the present day, including human rights defenders, end the use of torture and forced disappearances, stop all forms of violence regardless of their source in all cities and residential areas, guarantee peaceful protests are not attacked by Syrian security forces.
Fully enforce and monitor the implementation of targeted sanctions on the Syrian authorities wherever they have been adopted and ensure other countries also adopt and enforce similar sanctions against the authorities and those implicated in human rights abuses and international crimes including through an arms embargo.
Urge the Syrian government and armed groups to facilitate the delivery of independent and impartial emergency aid proportionate to needs, ensure the evacuation of injured people in places under fire, and call for effective access for humanitarian organizations, as well as journalists, and human rights advocates to monitor the situation on the ground. Particular attention should be directed to safe access to civil hospitals and adequate delivery of medical care in accordance with international law.
Press for Accountability for crimes against humanity including through UN Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court.

While we highly appreciate the intense efforts already under way to address the Syrian crisis, we believe that the conference in Tunisia must pave the way for a more robust international consensus that can pave the way for effective UN Security Council action.

Syrians have paid too heavy a price. We implore you to ensure your conference is a step towards ending further abuses and crimes.

Signatories:

International Organizations:

Global Center for Responsibility to Protect
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Reporters without Borders, medico international

Egypt:

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
Annie Centre for Human Rights and Development
Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP)
Arab Forum for Alternatives
Arab Foundation for Civil Society and Human Rights Support
Bader Foundation for Social Development and Peace
Center for Alternative Study & Development Programs
Citizenship Human Rights Organization (CHRO)
Civil Observatory for Human Rights
Development and Human Rights
Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement
Egyptian Association for Scientific and Technological Development
Egyptian Center for innovation and development
Egyptian Foundation for Advancement of the Childhood Condition
Egyptian Foundation for Refugees Rights (EFRR)
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
Freedom Center for Political Studies and Human Rights
Maat Foundation for Peace
New Woman Foundation
Shumuu (Candles) for Human Rights
South Center for Human Rights
Sudan Children Association
Taha Hussein Foundation for Civic Education
The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA)
The Arabic Center for Development and Human Rights
The Arabic Media Crisis Network

Sudan:

Africa Centre for Human Rights
Al-khatim Adlan Center Enlightenment and Human Development, Sudan Development Association SDA
Amal Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of violence
Arbab Cultural Center
CDA Community Development Association
Center for the Study of Human Development – Fanar
Civil Observatory for Human Rights
Darfur Center for Promoting Peace
Darfur Democratic Platform
Darfur Media & Press Association
Darfur’s Lawyers Association
Dwana Organization for Human Development
Global Center for Culture of Peace
Sara Fadil Organization for Peace and Development
Sobat Center for Peace and Capacity Building
Solidarity trade union
Sudanese Writers Union
Women for cultural and social Development Association