De senaste veckorna har Syrien sett en ny våg av fredliga demonstrationer. Det syriska folket är tydliga med vad de vill ha: ett enat, demokratiskt Syrien med lika rättigheter för alla medborgare. Det skriver Kyrkornas världsråd tillsammans med Pax Christi International i en vädjan till alla berörda parter att visa god vilja och att delta i förhandlingarna i Genève.
”En grundläggande ingrediens för fred, politisk vilja, har saknats i Syrien. Vi uppmanar de regeringar med inflytande i denna konflikt att ta itu med grundorsakerna till så mycket död och förstörelse som har drivit, och fortfarande driver, så många människor från sina hem.” Ur uttalandet. Läs det i sin helhet nedan:
Negotiations should end the conflict and bring political transition in Syria
In March 2016, we mark the 5th anniversary of the popular uprising in Syria.
The first cessation of hostilities after five years of war in Syria began
on 27 February 2016. Although there have been dozens of violations of
the ceasefire daily, many communities have, for the first time in years,
witnessed a period of calm and respite from bombardments. This fragile
ceasefire follows UN Security Council Resolution 2268.1
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, there is little hope for an early end
to the fighting in Syria. This ongoing war presents one of the greatest political
and moral challenges of our time. Now an international conflict, it
has the potential for additional destabilisation at the regional and international
levels.
The World Council of Churches and Pax Christi International urgently appeal
to all involved parties to demonstrate good will and to take part in
negotiations in Geneva. A fundamental ingredient for peace, political
will, has been lacking in Syria. We call upon those governments with influence
in this conflict to address the root causes of so much death and
destruction that has driven so many people from their homes and continues
to do so.
Hundreds of thousands of victims have been claimed by the violence in
Syria, which has left many millions more without a home or means of sustenance.
We urge the international community to seek an end to the violence
and, at the same time, to engage in dialogue toward a political
transition that enables the country to return swiftly to peace.
The intra-Syrian talks which begin on 15 March in Geneva must create the conditions
for such a political transition. The Syrian people must be at the centre
of the resolution of the conflict. Other states (in particular the members
of the International Syria Support Group) and non-state actors must
support a Syrian-led process.
Large-scale humanitarian aid to the afflicted populations throughout Syria
and to the many refugees seeking safety in neighbouring countries also
must be assured. Increased aid to besieged areas and a lull in the violence
could show the Syrian people that a political process could lead to
results, thus contributing to public support for the necessary revival of
the Geneva peace talks.
In recent weeks we have seen a new wave of peaceful demonstrations in
Syria. The Syrian people are clear about what they want: a united, democratic
Syria where all citizens enjoy equal rights. The demonstrations
spoke out clearly against dividing the country. That political momentum
should not be lost. All parties must support civil society in its critical role
in the process of ceasefire and human rights monitoring, violence reduction,
trust building, facilitating public debate and conflict transformation.
The massive call for freedom and democracy in Syria underlines the urgency
of prioritizing political transition to an inclusive and democratic
state. That should be a primary goal in Geneva. A ”Syria First” strategy is
needed, instead of an ”ISIS First” strategy. We are supporting the democratic
platform in Syria. We believe that’s the only way ISIS can be defeated.
A large-scale reconstruction programme which includes the reform of
state institutions should be started and supervised by the United Nations.
In the long term, a transparent process of transitional justice and reconciliation
in which all ethnic, political and religious groups are included
should be initiated and include active participation from the different
sectors of civil society.
Our hearts break for the suffering experienced by people from all religious
traditions who have become victims of civil war, chaos and terrorist
violence. The diversity of the region must be preserved and the rights of
all regardless of religion, ethnicity or gender must be secured. The religious
and social values of the Syrian people, including freedom, dignity
and tolerance, in addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
are essential references in the protection of the rights of all citizens.
As Christian organisations we stand with our brothers and sisters in the
region and will support them in their efforts to restore peace in their
countries and make sure they and other religions and ethnic groups will
all be active participants in the future of the region.
Geneva/Brussels, 15 March 2016
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