RNA - The UNHRC says these unilateral coercive measures are still targeting Syria, impairing the full realization of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
It doesn’t take a strategic mind to realize which state is the source country that continues to apply such coercive measures against the Syrian people and government. It is the United States and its collective measures that call for a trade ban on the import and export of multiple goods and services. It also includes a ban on international financial transfers.
Additional measures targeting individuals and companies by virtue of their alleged relationship with the government have also been applied. Because of their comprehensive nature, these measures have had a devastating impact on the entire economy and the daily lives of ordinary people. This impact has compounded their suffering resulting from the devastating regime-change war that has unfolded since 2011.
It is clear that the sufferings imposed by Washington’s unilateral coercive measures have reinforced those that were caused by the conflict. And it seems ironic that these measures applied by the US out of a so-called “concern for human rights” are actually contributing to the worsening of the humanitarian crisis.
In consequence, the Syrian economy continues to decline at an alarming rate because of US-led comprehensive financial restrictions. Since the application of America’s economic warfare in 2011 and the beginning of the current crisis, the total annual GDP of Syria has fallen by two thirds. This has further devastated the living conditions of the population that were already degraded by the conflict.
This deliberate damage to the economy has had predictable effects on the ability of Syrians to realize their economic, social and cultural rights. Syria’s human development indicators have all tumbled as well. There has been a staggering increase in the rate of poverty among ordinary Syrians. Restrictions on the Central bank, state-owned and private banks, and transactions in the main international currencies have comprehensively damaged the ability of anyone seeking to operate internationally.
According to the UNHRC, this market uncertainty has created a “chilling effect” on international banks and companies, which as a result are unwilling or unable to do business with Syria. This has prevented Syrian and international companies, non-governmental actors (including those operating in purely humanitarian fields), and Syrian citizens from engaging in international financial transactions (including for goods which are legal to import), obtaining credit, or for international actors to pay salaries or contractors in Syria.
However, the Syrian government is fighting back against these coercive measures, all while trying to fight terrorism and restore peace and security across the nation. To that end, Syria practices universal, free health care for all its citizens. Prior to the current crisis, Syria enjoyed some of the highest levels of care in the region. The demands created by the crisis have overwhelmed the system, and created extraordinarily high levels of need. Despite this, restrictive measures by the US, particularly those related to the banking system, have harmed the ability of Syria to purchase and pay for medicines, equipment, spare parts and software.
According to Fars News Agancy, this should be a wake-up call for the international civil society. Syria cannot function as a normal state as long as America’s unilateral coercive measures exist, which contribute to the ongoing suffering of the Syrian people. Claims that “they exist to protect the Syrian population,” or “to promote a democratic transition,” are hard to reconcile with the economic and humanitarian sufferings being caused.
The time has come to ask the global community not to accept the devastating consequences of America’s war and occupation in Syria. Whatever their political objectives, there must be more humane means by which these can be achieved in full compliance with International Law. In view of the complexity of the system of unilateral coercive measures in place, there needs to be a multi-stage approach to addressing and resolving the dire human rights situation prevailing in Syria.
The time has also come for the global community to address the crucial humanitarian needs of the population throughout the whole of Syria, without preconditions. Syria is suffering and to alleviate that suffering, UN member states should take effective measures to fulfill their commitment to allow humanitarian exemptions, along with those that will promote confidence building between the government and the opposition, with the ultimate aim of lifting the US-led sanctions regime and ending the US-led war and occupation.
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