Sanctions on quake-stricken Syria must be lifted: UN experts

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Feb 22:08
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Relatives of the affected families living abroad are unable to wire financial assistance via remittances due to the sanctions.

High-thermal blankets, warm clothes, shelters, mattresses, kitchen sets, hygiene kits - much-needed things UNHCR is providing for people in Syria and Turkey (UNHCR)

A group of independent UN experts urged on Friday the international community to lift sanctions on Syria in order to address the excruciating pain of civilians who suffered tremendous physical and material losses in the aftermath of Monday's devastating earthquake.

"It is imperative for the international community and in particular sanctioning states to undertake prompt action by putting an end to unilateral sanctions against Syria, a country deprived of critical infrastructure and in dire need of recovery and reconstruction, following the decade-long war," the experts said in a statement that released by the UNHCR.

"For such interventions to be effective, there is a need for an enabling environment for international cooperation and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, including of food, medicines, medical equipment, and construction material, among others, as well as unimpeded financial flows to support such assistance, all of which are constrained by current sanctions regimes against countries such as Syria," the statement added.

Although some countries suggested that general licenses be issued in a bid to ease sanctions on Syria, the experts noted that "such systems of humanitarian carve-outs may not be sufficient to address the long-term negative effects of sanctions, as well as business over-compliance with sanctions and financial de-risking."

Relatives of the affected families living abroad are unable to wire financial assistance via remittances due to the sanctions, the experts pointed out.

Monday's massive earthquake flattened entire sections of major cities in Turkey and Syria, killing more than 20,000 people in both countries according to the latest estimates.

The earthquake has so far left over 3,500 Syrians dead and thousands others injured, in addition to leveling down thousands of homes, leaving civilians in the cold weather with no shelter, while the government, due to western unilateral sanctions and blockade, is unable to fully respond to the crisis and offer disaster relief to its nation.

Earlier today, it was reported that France maintained its policy toward the Syrian government and will not provide Damascus with relief aid following the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey which.

"Our political approach is not changing and contrary to Bashar al-Assad we are working in favour of the Syrian population," French Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Francois Delmas stated in a press conference.

"Only a political process defined by United Nations Security Council 2254 can lead to an exit of the crisis," in reference to providing aid to non-governmental organizations, notoriously known to have implemented the western agenda to destabilize Syria and promote the narrative of the West-backed terrorist proxies.