Organisations representing over 200 million people back Syrian call for end to barrel bombs, meaningful peace talks

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Organisations representing over 200 million people back Syrian call for end to barrel bombs, meaningful peace talks

Unions, human rights organisations and individuals mobilise around “Planet Syria” demands from nonviolent, civil society groups inside Syria
Demands introduced by activists who want global support to stop the barrel bombs and back all-inclusive talks as the only way to stop Isis https://www.planetsyria.org/en

Today, more than 50 organisations from around the world representing over 200 million people joined non-violent activists in Syria in demanding an end to the barrel bombs and meaningful peace talks. International organisations who have joined the call include the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), The Syria Campaign, Avaaz, Hivos, Pax, Stop Genocide Now, International Alert, and others. ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said:

“For too long those around the world have stayed silent on the suffering of Syrians. The International Trade Union Confederation is proud to be supporting these brave activists who are struggling for a better Syria — one where the barrel bombs have stopped and they enjoy freedom, democracy and begin to rebuild their economy.”

The demands were issued on March 24 by dozens of civil society groups across Syria, representing over 17,000 people, as part of a plan to stop extremism and bring peace in Syria. The groups behind the statement, include Dawlaty, Badael, the Violations Documentation Centre (VDC), the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) and the Kurdish Women’s Union. The campaign was named “Planet Syria” because activists say they felt increasingly isolated from the world, as if their demands were alien. Oula Ramadan, one of the organisers, said:

“The only way forward in Syria, the only way to halt extremism and bring peace, is to stop the barrel bombs and pursue meaningful peace talks. Negotiations cannot happen while the regime’s aircrafts are destroying people’s homes, schools and hospitals with barrel bombs that have been banned by the international community. Only by backing up words with action, and stopping the barrel bombs, can the international community restore the credibility it needs to ensure meaningful peace talks take place.”

Individuals also joined the campaign, participating in solidarity actions worldwide, from Kuala Lumpur, Beirut, Washington DC, Czech Republic and dozens of other locations. (Images here: http://planetsyria2015.tumblr.com/)

The unprecedented mobilisation from Syrian civil society comes at a time of increasing violence as Isis makes inroads into Damascus and the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp. It also coincides with a series of at least six chemical attacks from regime aircraft in Idlib that have killed a number of civilians, including children.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

– The full statement and Syrian signatories: http://bit.ly/planetsyriastatement

– The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 162 countries and territories and has 328 national affiliates. The Avaaz movement is made up of more than 41 million members worldwide.

– Civil society groups supporting the call from inside Syria span from Daraa and Ghouta in the South to Aleppo and Hasakeh in the North. They are grassroots organisations and work with communities on education, livelihoods and protection. They also document human rights violations and engage in peacebuilding. They work in areas controlled by various armed actors and face incredible risks to bring peace and justice to Syria.

– Images from inside Syria: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sj3855v37shtnqj/AAB8nZaiucKPg6vIgf_NANBda?dl=0