Silence Is Not an Option!
The UN Security Council must take a stronger stand on Syria
Dear Ambassador
As leaders of (224) civil society organizations from (18) countries across the Arab world, we call on members of United Nations Security Council to support a resolution calling for the immediate end to the use of lethal force against protestors in Syria.
Over 850 civilians have been killed and 9,000 arrested in 16 Syrian cities. The lack of running water and electricity in towns such as Derra and Homs has left innocent civilians, including many women and children, without essential basic services. As the situation deteriorates further, the communications blackout imposed since the 22nd of April prevents any objective assessment of humanitarian needs.
We believe that the silence of the UN Security Council sends the wrong message and fails to deter further violence and human rights abuses by the Syrian authorities. A resolution by the UN Security Council is needed to make clear that the current crackdown is unacceptable and in no way condoned by the community of nations.
We regret that, to date, the Security Council has been unable to reach agreement on a resolution to support the thousands of Syrian civilians in desperate need of protection. We urge you to use your leadership within the Council to ensure the UN lives up to its mandate by adopting a resolution that:
– Condemns the excessive use of lethal force against peaceful protestors in Syria;
– Demands a complete end to violence, all attacks against and abuses of civilians
– Demands the Syrian authorities to provide immediate access and guarantees for the provision of humanitarian assistance;
– Demands the Syrian authorities to abide by International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, including respect for freedom of association and expression, and to immediately lift the communications blackout
– Supports all measures authorized by the UN Human Rights Council including an international investigative mission (A/HRC/RES/S-16/1) for Syria.
The people of Syria have already waited too long for a response from the Council. The eyes of the world are now on the United Nations to take a firm and strong position against a government deliberately using lethal force against its own people.
Sincerely,
Algeria: The Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights, The Algerian Coordination Organisation for the Families of the Missing.
Bahrain: Al Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Bahraini Association for Human Rights, Association of Bahraini Youth for Human Rights- Bahrain
Iraq: The Iraqi Human Rights Association in Denmark, Iraqi Network for Human Rights, Rawabi Humanitarian Organisation
Egypt: Arab Programme for Human Rights Activists (APHRA), Arab Organization for Civil Society and Human Rights Support, Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, Civil Observatory for Human Rights, Citizenship Human Rights Organisation, Shomoa for the Care of Humanitarian Rights, Egyptian Organisation for Scientific and Technological Development, Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights, The Arab Network for Human Rights Information-Egypt, The Arab Centre for Development and Human Rights, South Centre for Human Rights, Arab Network for Crisis Reporting, Centre for the Study of Alternative Development, Taha Hussein Foundation for Civic Education, Egyptian Centre for Human Development, Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights, Al-Badr Foundation for Social Development and Peace, Maan Foundation, Arab Centre for Legal and Judicial Independence, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Ani for Development and Human Rights, Al Nadim Center for Treatment and Psychological Rehabilitation for Victims of Violence, Association of Freedom of Thought and Expression, Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies, Egyptian Centre for Property Rights, One World Centre for Development and Protection of Human Rights, Human Rights Association for Protection of Prisoners, Centre for Legal Study and Information for Human Rights, Centre for Human Rights and Fighting Landmines, National Association for the Defence of Rights and Liberties, Arab Legal Desk- Egypt, Group for Human Rights Legal Aid, Supporters of Justice for Human Rights Association. Egyptian Womens’ Issues, Al-Safwa Centre for Human Rights in Mansoura, Rifa’a Al-Tahtawi Forum, Human Development Centre, Al-Haqq Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, Al Shihab Foundation for Complete Development, Al- Kilma Centre for Human Rights, Egyptian Association for Economic and Social Rights, Habi Centre for Environmental Rights, Egyptian Association for Civic Education and Human Rights, Egyptian Civil Group, Women’s Group for Human Rights, Equality Center for Human Rights (Port Said), Egyptian Center for Rights of the Child, Egyptian Foundation for Family Development, The Egyptian Centre for Defense and Legal Protection, Solidarity Association for Development and Human Rights, Foundation for Human Rights Training and Sustainable Development (Equity), Madar Foundation for Development and Environmental Protection, Dawn Centre for Human Rights Advocacy, Him and Her Development Foundation, Egyptian Center for Development and Human Rights, Egyptian Association against Medical Negligence and Human Rights, Civil Coalition for Democratic Reform, Arab Center for Development and Future Researches, Arab Centre for Alternative Studies, New Woman Research Center.
Jordan: Observatory Centre for Environment and Human Rights, Equality Centre for Democratic Studies and Research, Cooperation Centre for Civil Society Organisations.
Kuwait: The Kuwaiti Association for Human Rights, NN Association for Law defenders.
Lebanon: The Lebanese Association for Transparency , (PPM) Permanent Peace Movement (includes 20 organizations), Social Developmental Initiative- Volunteers without Boundaries, Development for People and Nature Association- Lebanon, Lebanese Labour Watch- Lebanon, Common Effort- Lebanon, Cultural Tyre Forum, Civil Society Forum , Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Prevention of Armed Conflict, Arab Network for Tolerance, Peace Building Academy, Arab Human Rights Fund.
Libya: The Arab Libyan Association for Human Rights, Secretary General of the Association for Human Rights.
Mauritania: National Committee for Human Rights , Network for Protection of Democracy, Mauritanian Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (AMAPROD) , Northern League for Democracy, Development and Human Rights , Women Democratic Society, The Arab Organisation for Human Rights – Mauritania .
Morocco: Moroccan Bada’il Forum, The Democratic Centre for Work, National Organisation for Suspended Certificates Campaign, Badai’l Forum- Gosoor Site- Development Organisation, Future Youth Union, Centre for Education on Human Rights, Nabras Youth Site, People’s Rights Centre- Morocco, Leid Foundation, Moroccan Organisation for Human Rights.
Palesitine: Al Dameer Organisation for the Political Prisoners Welfar, The Palestinian Society for Human Rights, The Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, Palestinian Human Rights Organization, Shams “Human Rights & Democracy Media Center”
Qatar: National Council for Human Rights.
Saudi Arabia: Human Rights First Society(HRFS).
Sudan: Al Kahtim Centre for Enlightenment & Human Development (KACE), Sudanese Children Society, Sudan Development Association SDA , Civil and Human Rights Centre, Darfur Democratic Forum, Al-Amal Rehabilitation Centre, Subat Centre for Peace and Capacity Building, Union Solidarity, Centre for Human Development Studies, Global Centre for the Culture of Peace, African Centre for Human Rights, Darfur Lawyers Association, Darfur Centre for Consolidation of Peace, Darfur Journalists and Media Network, Secretary General of Dwana Organization for Human Development, Community Development Association CDA, Niswa Organisation for Cultural and Social Development, Sarah Al Fadil Centre for Peace and Development, Arab Cultural Centre, Journalists for Human Rights – JHR.
Syria: National Organization for Human Rights, Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies, Committees for the Defence of Democracy Freedom and Human Rights Kurdish Committee for Human Rights, The Arab Organization for Human Rights, Kurdish organization for the defence of human rights and public freedoms in Syria–DAD.
Tunsia: The Tunisian Observatory for Union Rights and Freedoms, The National Council for Liberties, Committee for the Respect of Liberties and Human Rights in Tunisia, Observatory for Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation, Tunisia
UAE: The Emirates Association for Human Rights, Emirates Media and Studies Center,
Yemen: Democratic Social Forum , Sisterhood Forum for Human Rights , The Information and Rehabilitation Centre for Human Rights, Yemeni Observatory for Human Rights, Yemeni Organisation for the Defence of Rights and Democratic Freedoms, Yemeni Broadcasters Forum, Foundation for Local Community Development, Political Development Forum, National Association for the Defence of Freedoms, The Democratic School, National Centre for Community Development, Yemeni Doctors and Pharmacists Syndicate, Educational Syndicate, Partners for the Future Association- Yemen
Regional Coalitions: Non Violence Network in the Arab Countries (20 organisations), MENA Coalition to stop use of Child Soldiers (20 organisations),MENA Action Network on Small Arms (20 organisations)
Europe: Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and the Arab Reform Initiative (France).
Total Number of organisations (accounting for coalitions): 224
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