London, October 20, 2016 — The European Council meets this week at a historic low point in the Syria crisis. Europe is bearing some of the burden of this unresolved conflict and it is vital that the European Council brings pressure to bear on the parties to the conflict - notably Russia - to protect civilians.
After the bombing of eight International Rescue Committee (IRC), or IRC-supported, hospitals it is time for action. Some countries are proposing economic sanctions, including the freezing of European financial assets of and imposing travel restrictions or bans on identified individuals or companies; others are discussing support for Turkey in the emerging buffer zone on the Syria-Turkey border; others are suggesting different options again. What matters to us as a humanitarian organisation is that the solutions proposed are detailed enough to be credible, well-designed enough to protect civilians, and strong enough to have fast impact.
The savage bombings of civilians in Syria are a new low for the international community as well as for the Syrian people. Europe has a responsibility as well as an interest in action to curb the abuse of civilians. We call for pressure that is targeted, detailed and effective. We also call for effective accountability mechanisms to be established - using the model pioneered in respect of chemical weapons oversight - so that those committing abuse of humanitarian law are held to account.
-David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said last week that the situation in Aleppo is “without precedent” and "no one can tolerate this situation." It is time to turn these words into meaningful action.
This means the European Council going much further than the inadequate conclusions reached by their Foreign Ministers on Monday.
Our hope remains that effective diplomatic and political negotiations can result in some real relief for the Syrian people. But, in the meantime, the people and entities whose support enables the killing of innocent Syrians must be made to bear cost for their actions.