The Hague, NL, 17 December, 2024 – After decades of violent conflict and widespread civilian harm, the recent transition in Syria presents a critical opportunity to prioritize the protection of all civilians. During this transitional period, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) calls on all leaders and security actors in Syria, as well as third parties, to take all necessary measures to prevent and mitigate civilian harm. This includes refraining from airstrikes in populated areas, avoiding the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in cities and towns, and ensuring civilians are never targeted.
CIVIC urges all parties to commit to uphold international humanitarian law and other relevant norms, including Islamic Law protections, to safeguard civilians, preserve human dignity, and protect critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, water systems and communications infrastructures.
The protection of vulnerable populations, such as women, children, displaced families, returnees and persons with disabilities, must be a top priority. Ensuring safe and swift humanitarian aid access to all areas is essential to meet civilians’ urgent needs.
After over a decade of violent conflict, civilians returning home face an uncertain future. Many homes are destroyed, essential services like water and electricity are unavailable, access to medical care is limited, income opportunities sparse, and unexploded ordnance threatens to kill more civilians, especially children. All countries must also ensure the protection of civilians returning home while upholding the rights of refugees and asylum seekers to safe refuge.
CIVIC is prepared to work alongside civil society organizations, local communities, and other stakeholders to develop inclusive and robust civilian harm mitigation frameworks, community-based protection approaches, and accountability mechanisms that uphold civilian protection as a core priority.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Hajer Naili, Director of Communications, [email protected], +33 6 03 50 53 93 / +1 917 889 5982 (WhatsApp)
CIVIC Communications: [email protected]
Spokespersons available for interviews in English, French, and Arabic
ABOUT CIVIC
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian protection organization that envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Learn more at www.civiliansinconflict.org and follow CIVIC on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
