Syria

Humanitarian corridor proposal deeply flawed

2 August Aug 2016 1530 02 August 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.

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Syria
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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:

  1. ASML

  2. AWO International

  3. Bridge of Peace

  4. CAABU

  5. CARE International

  6. CCFD-Terre Solidaire

  7. Christian Aid

  8. Doctors of the World UK

  9. EuroMed Rights (EMHRN)

  10. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

  11. GOAL

  12. Hand in Hand for Syria

  13. Human Appeal International

  14. Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHASM” /Palestine

  15. Islamic Relief USA

  16. Karam Foundation

  17. Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies

  18. NuDay Syria

  19. Oxfam

  20. Physicians for Human Rights

  21. Refugees International

  22. Relief & Reconciliation for Syria

  23. Relief International

  24. Rethink Rebuild Society

  25. Save the Children

  26. Stichting Vluchteling

  27. Syria Relief

  28. Syria Relief and Development

  29. Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)

  30. Tearfund

  31. The International Rescue Committee

  32. The Syria Campaign

  33. Trocaire

  34. Vision GRAM-International

  35. WATAN

  36. WILPF

  37. World Vision

Cover Photo: GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images

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