Putting People’s Rights at the Forefront: A Call for Ethical Syrian Sanctions

Syria Sanctions Should Prioritize Human Rights and Aid

Introduction

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch has called for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union to renew and amend the humanitarian exemptions in their Syria sanctions regimes. The report highlights the negative impact of broad sanctions on the economic rights of Syrians and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid. It calls for the extension of exemptions without time limits and the alignment of humanitarian exemptions across various sanctions regimes, counterterrorism measures, and export controls. The report emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the rights of the Syrian people and facilitating critical assistance.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Syria

It is crucial to understand the dire humanitarian crisis in Syria which necessitates the urgent need for humanitarian aid. Even before the devastating earthquakes in February 2023, Syrians were already grappling with a severe economic crisis, with over 90% of the population living below the poverty line. The report reveals that at least 12 million Syrians cannot find or afford enough quality food, and 15 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid. The majority of Syrians heavily rely on aid to survive.

The Impact of Sanctions on Aid Operations

While the Syrian government’s diversion of aid remains a major obstacle to equitable delivery, the report sheds light on the detrimental effects of broad sanctions imposed by the US, UK, EU, and others on humanitarian operations. Sanctions make it difficult for aid organizations to access essential goods, impede money transfers to sanctioned countries, and create bureaucratic hurdles. The report emphasizes that while counterterrorism measures differ in objectives, they often present similar challenges for humanitarian operations.

The Need for Coherent and Comprehensive Exemptions

The report highlights the fragmented nature of humanitarian exemptions across different sanctioning entities. These exemptions vary in scope and compliance procedures, leading to difficulties and delays for banks, exporters, and humanitarian actors. The limited duration of exemptions also poses challenges for private entities and financial institutions to engage in Syria. Moreover, while exemptions were granted specifically for earthquake relief, they did not extend to counterterrorism measures, which disproportionately affect opposition-held areas with significant humanitarian needs.

Calls for Reforms

Human Rights Watch urges several key reforms to mitigate the adverse impact of sanctions on humanitarian efforts in Syria. The most urgent reform is the permanent extension of humanitarian exemptions introduced in response to the earthquakes. Broad exemptions should be agreed upon, covering both UN agencies and international aid organizations, and should not be limited to the earthquake response but extended to all necessary aid activities in Syria. Financial institutions and private entities should be reassured that they will not be penalized for supporting relief and recovery efforts. The international community must prioritize the rights of the Syrian people and take concrete steps to facilitate critical assistance.

Conclusion

The report by Human Rights Watch draws attention to the urgent need for reform in the approach to Syria sanctions. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing human rights and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. By extending and aligning exemptions, clarifying the rules for financial institutions and private entities, and adopting a comprehensive approach to exemptions, the international community can help alleviate the suffering and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.

Keyword: Human Rights-humanrights,sanctions,Syria,ethics,internationalrelations