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Take Action on Syria

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

The United Nations has stated that at least 2,700 have been killed in Syria since the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrators began six months ago. In the midst of this ongoing violence, you have an opportunity to ensure that the United States is doing everything possible to support civilian protection. Right now, the Senate is considering legislation that would help to limit the Syrian regime’s access to critical financial resources.

Syria Sanctions Act of 2011

The Syria Sanctions Act (S.1472), introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with Senators Mark Kirk and Joe Lieberman, would impose restrictions related to the development, production, exportation, importation, and financing of Syria’s petroleum sector. Although U.S. companies are prohibited from engaging in oil-related business operations, European and other international firms have significant investments. The bill provides a series of penalties that can be applied to any international company that chooses to continue such activities. These penalties include prohibition by the U.S. Government on exports, financial assistance and federal government contracts, as well as the freezing of property and other assets within the country’s jurisdiction. Effectively, the legislation requires that—in order to do business in the United States and with the U.S. Government—foreign companies abide by same set of restrictions as American companies.

Oil trade is estimated to provide the Assad regime up to $8 million per day. With the Syrian economy flailing in the midst of violence, the oil sector serves as a problematic lifeline to a government perpetrating atrocities. Targeting this sector will stem the flow of enabling resources and send a clear signal to the regime that violence against civilians is unacceptable.

Take Action

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE (1-800-436-6243) today. The call is free. When prompted, enter your zip code and choose option number two to be connected with the office of one of your two United States Senators. Once connected to the office, urge your Senator to co-sponsor the Syria Sanctions Act (S.1472).

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Thousands Dead as Syrian Government Intensifies Crackdown on Protestors

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

With the downfall of Libyan President Muammar Qaddafi, the protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria have intensified. Unfortunately, the Syrian government’s violence against its own citizens has intensified as well.  An newly released report by local human rights groups found that more than 5,000 people have been killed since the protests began in March, however, only 3,000 of these deaths have been verified and according to the United Nations 2,700 Syrians have been killed. On top of that, 3,000 people have been forcibly detained by the government and have since disappeared.

Since the public demand for Assad’s resignation by President Barack Obama and European leaders on August 18th, violence has continued to escalate in the Syrian cities of Homs, Dara’a, Damascus, and Hama. Activists fear that the increasingly violent reaction of the government to the peaceful protests may cause demonstrators to take up arms escalating the situation into a civil war. Violent clashes between government soldiers and armed demonstrators have already begun.

President Assad’s desperate attempts to hold on to power have alienated even those who previously supported him. On September 1st, the attorney general of Hama, Mohammed Adnan al-Bakkour, resigned from his post in protest.  Attorney General Bakkour says that he was required to falsify reports of the numbers killed, wounded, or detained in order to make the government’s repression seem less violent. Members of the Syrian armed forces have defected to the side of Syrian protestors saying they were ordered to use deadly force against protestors. One defected sniper revealed, “We were ordered to aim for the head or heart from the beginning. We were not given specific numbers but told to kill as many as possible as long as there were protests”.

International pressure continues to mount against Assad’s regime.  A coalition of 176 human rights and civil organizations operating in the Arab world sent a letter to the Arab League asking them to take more concrete measures to stop the violence in Syria. The organizations asked that the Arab League suspend Syria’s membership, impose travel ban on Syria’s leaders and an arms embargo. Meanwhile, the US and a number of European countries have considered a UN resolution to impose a travel ban and assets freeze on Syrian leaders, as well as an arms embargo. This initiative is opposed by Russia and China, Assad’s main supporters, who want to consider softer options against their ally.

You can help end the violence in Syria:

Call 1-800-GENOICDE (1-800-436-6243). Choose option number two to connect with one of your Senators. Urge your Senator to co-sponsor the Syria Sanctions Act (S.1472). Click here for more information on the Syria Sanctions Act.

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Libya: More Evidence of Crimes Against Civilians

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Less than a month ago, GI-NET/SDC highlighted the need for the United States to ensure that Libyan civilians remain protected from harm. News from yesterday (9/13) confirms that threats to civilian safety still exist in Libya. The new findings from Amnesty International illustrate the depth of crimes committed against civilians during the Libyan conflict.

In “the Battle for Libya: Killings, disappearances, and torture,” Amnesty details further examples of the abuses allegedly committed by Qaddafi’s forces that prompted the strong response the by the international community. The report also alleges that National Transitional Council (NTC) forces tortured and killed Qaddafi supporters and suspected foreign mercenaries during reprisal attacks.

As the entity in control of most of Libya, it is the NTC’s responsibility to protect the civilian population from reprisal attacks. Furthermore, despite Qaddafi’s expulsion from Tripoli, civilians remain at risk of attack by pro-Qaddafi forces. These dual risks will require the international community to remain engaged in Libya for the near future.

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Ongoing Risks in Libya Despite TNC Successes

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Armed supporters of the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) are closing in on the city of Sirte, Muammar Qaddafi’s hometown and political heartland.  On Thursday (9/1), the TNC extended the deadline for pro-Qaddafi forces to surrender by another week. As fighting continues across Libya, combatants on both sides must refrain from targeting civilians, as well as detained opposition fighters in accordance with customary norms and international humanitarian law.

It is likely that the fight for Sirte and other Qaddafi strongholds will be fierce.  Residents of these areas are at particular risk of being caught in the crossfire, particularly as pro-Qaddafi forces may be using civilians as human shields.  Both sides should take all efforts to prevent civilian casualties regardless of location.

Yesterday, The Atlantic Monthly published a story highlighting the role that Saharan nomads have played in supporting Qaddafi’s military during recent fighting.  In “A Qaddafi Mercenary Tells His Story,” it was reported that mercenaries from Mali and Niger may have fought for Qaddafi against TNC forces.  Stories such as this, on the heels of previous mistreatment of sub-Saharan African residents of Libya, raise the potential for retaliatory violence against migrants unaffiliated with Qaddafi’s security services.

In light of these risks, the international community should continue to press the TNC to ensure that it continues to order its forces to obey international humanitarian law regarding the treatment of civilians in armed conflict.

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Syria: UN Resolution Reconsidered As Attacks Continue

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

The Assad regime’s crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Syria continues apace.  This morning, government security forces reportedly fired upon protestors in the eastern city of Deir ez-Zour, killing an estimated 17 people since Wednesday.   These attacks add to the more than 2,200 deaths since mid-March.

As the death toll continues to grow, the United States and its European allies have circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution.  The current version of the resolution is noticeably stronger than the one circulated earlier this year.

It demands that the Syrian government immediately cease human rights violations and the use of force against civilian areas.  The resolution also imposes an arms embargo on Syria, as well as asset freezes and travel bans on designated members of the Syrian government.

These measures, if passed, would augment the broader economic pressures that the international community is preparing to deploy against the Syrian government, including a potential European embargo of Syrian oil.  These measures would add to the steps already taken by the United States and European Union to impose asset freezes and travel bans on senior Syrian government officials.

Two Ways You Can Take Action Today to Pressure the Syrian Regime

  • Urge the European Union to Adopt Oil Sanctions: Avaaz has a petition that calls on the European Union to sanction Syrian oil.  Germany, France, and Italy are the three largest importers of Syrian oil.  Sanctions will show the Syrian government that western governments will not tolerate abuses perpetrated against civilians. Sign the Avaaz EU Sanctions petition here.
  • Urge the United Nations Security Council to Pass a Strong Resolution: Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS) has a petition that calls on UN Security Council members to introduce and pass a resolution denouncing the Syrian regime and Bashar al-Assad’s criminal actions. The petition also calls for a referral to the International Criminal Court. Sign the CGS UN Security Council petition here.

 

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Libyan Opposition Forces Control Most of Tripoli; Civilian Protection Must Remain Priority

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Update on Recent Developments

After a week of remarkable gains, Libyan opposition forces are reported to control up to 95% of Tripoli. The city is Libya’s capital and one of Muammar al-Qaddafi’s former strongholds. With the end of the conflict in sight, the Libyan people celebrated across the country.

As of yesterday, two of Qaddafi’s sons had been captured, Saif al-Islam and Mohammed. However, the whereabouts of their father are still unknown. Meanwhile, fighting between the rebels and forces loyal to the Libyan leader continues in pockets around Tripoli.

Update: As of the evening of Monday, August 22 both Saif and Mohammed Qaddafi were free in Tripoli. It is believed that Mohammed escaped, but the circumstances around Saif’s freedom are less certain. It is possible that he may have escaped or that he was never in custody.

Civilian Protection Remains Critical

Earlier today the head of the National Transitional Council spoke to reporters expressing concern about revenge killings and the plight of civilians. He stated:

We face many challenges and we have many responsibilities. Beginning with healing the wounds and putting our hands in one anothers. All this in loyalty to the blood of our martyrs. And to the principles that this revolution was created for: creating safety, security, peace and prosperity. These principles can only be achieved through reconciliation, forbearance and tolerance.

The protection of civilians and the pursuit of justice through legal mechanisms will remain critical as the country moves toward peace. The international community should be recognized for taking action to authorize and implement “all necessary measures” to prevent a massacre of civilians in Benghazi and elsewhere. However, it cannot be forgotten that threats to the safety of civilians continue. All sides must live up to their responsibility to protect, including the forces of the National Transitional Council and NATO. The United States and international community must use every influence to ensure civilian protection in Libya during this volatile time.

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Help End Violence Against Civilians in Syria

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

Yesterday we blogged about how Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian regime continues to commit acts of violence against pro-democracy protesters throughout the country. As protests escalate during the holy month of Ramadan, rights groups are taking action to pressure the EU, UN, and US to take action on Syria and work to put a stop to atrocities.

Protesters in Syria

Two Ways You Can Take Action Today to Pressure the Syrian Regime

  • Urge the European Union to Adopt Oil Sanctions: Avaaz has a petition that calls on the European Union to sanction Syrian oil.  Germany, France, and Italy are the three largest importers of Syrian oil.  Sanctions will show the Syrian government that western governments will not tolerate abuses perpetrated against civilians. Sign the Avaaz EU Sanctions petition here.
  • Urge the United Nations Security Council to Pass a Strong Resolution: Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS) has a petition that calls on UN Security Council members to introduce and pass a resolution denouncing the Syrian regime and Bashar al-Assad’s criminal actions. The petition also calls for a referral to the International Criminal Court. Sign the CGS UN Security Council petition here.

 

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Pressure Mounts as Syrian Government Continues Abuse of Civilians

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Violence in Syria has escalated dramatically in the last few weeks, with the Syrian military and security forces continuing to kill civilians and arbitrarily detain pro-democracy protesters. More than 2,000 civilians have been killed and tens of thousands have been arrested.

This week, Genocide Intervention Network, along with Freedom House and the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) sent a joint letter to President Obama calling on him call for the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, and take more effective, targeted efforts to address the situation in Syria and prevent further atrocities.  The letter also commends the President’s new Directive on Mass Atrocities and urges him to utilize its mandate to take more direct action in regards to Syria.

On Wednesday, the US Government announced new sanctions against Syria, including the country’s biggest commercial bank and its largest mobile phone company.  Last week the Arab League condemned the Assad regime’s treatment of civilians, and a number of middle-eastern states, including Saudi Arabia, Bharain, and the United Arab Emirates have pulled their ambassadors.  Italy’s relations with Syria have also broken down, and diplomatic breaks with other western states are anticipated in the coming weeks if the Syrian government continues to target civilians.

The White House spokesman stated today that Syria would be “better off” without President Bashar al-Assad.  This follows previous statements by the President condemning the Syrian military’s abuse of peaceful protesters.

Despite pressure from the international community, the Syrian military continues to roll tanks into Hama, Homs, and Deir Ezzour and open fire on protesters. The UN Security Council has received criticism for its insufficient action on Syria, despite a statement release

Protesters Under Arrest

d this week.  Rights groups are calling for a resolution condemning the Syrian government’s treatment of its citizens. Increased diplomatic pressure in the form of sanctions is essential to impel the Bashar al-Assad to step down and enable the growth of democratic institutions in Syria.

 

 

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UNSC Finally Makes Statement on Syrian Protests

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Syrian protestors.

After nearly five months of pro-democracy protests in Syria that have been crushed with violent force by the government, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally issued a presidential statement yesterday condemning the violence. The body called on the Syrian government to halt all violence against civilians and respect human rights. The statement emphasized that only an inclusive, Syrian-led political process can resolve the crisis.

The UNSC has been unable to make any progress on a resolution addressing Syria because of opposition from Russia and China, two of the five permanent members. France and the United Kingdom first discussed a resolution condemning the violence in April and presented a draft in June. However, it was never brought to a vote because of the threat of a veto from Russia or China, who do not want to endorse any measures that could possibly lead to military action. Issuing the presidential statement, which requires consensus, is a less binding way to apply pressure to the Assad regime. Lebanon was the only country to distance itself from the statement, saying it is not helpful in addressing the current situation.

Following the UNSC statement, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today issued a decree authorizing a multiparty political system in Syria, theoretically ending the monopoly that the ruling Baath party has had on power since 1963. Since the pro-democracy protests began in March, President Assad has repeatedly promised reforms to the people, but has yet to enact any tangible change. Syrian activists have already dismissed the latest reforms as a meaningless attempt to divert attention from the government’s violent repression of protests.

Since Friday the protests in Syria have expanded to several major cities and are expected to continue with growing intensity due to the holy month of Ramadan. Over 150 people were killed over the weekend, bringing the total death toll to at least 1,600, on top of thousands of arrests.

Hama, which has emerged as the symbolic center of the protests, continues to see the largest protests and the most stringent crackdowns. On Wednesday, Syrian troops and tanks again assaulted Hama, as the five-day old government crackdown intensifies. Since the occupation, over 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total killed in Hama alone to over 200 since the weekend.

Although it takes no concrete action to end the violence in Syria, the UNSC presidential statement appears to be a step in the right direction and may have catalyzed Assad toward democratic reforms. But when juxtaposed with the increasingly violent crackdown on protestors, Assad’s concessions towards democracy may be too little, too late.

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White House Announces Presidential Directive on Mass Atrocities

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

This morning, the White House released a statement announcing a Presidential Study Directive on Mass Atrocities. The directive details efforts to ensure the United States Government is better able to prevent and respond to mass atrocities and genocide.

Recognizing that ending genocide is a core national security interest–in addition to a core moral responsibility–the directive includes the creation a standing interagency Atrocities Prevention Board “with the authority to develop prevention strategies and to ensure that concerns are elevated for senior decision-making.”

Save Darfur Coalition/Genocide Intervention Network welcomes this important step by the Administration. Read our press release.

View the related Presidential Proclamation that suspends entry into the United States of certain persons who have engaged in serious human rights and other humanitarian law violations and other abuses.

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