Motion for a Resolution by the Committee on Human Rights

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION BY

THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

With relentless violence continuing in Syria, is it acceptable for the international community to

stand by engaging in cyclical discussion? What action should the EU take to protect the safety and

security of those in the affected region in the wake of the Arab Spring?

Submitted by: Romain Artiguebere (FR), Alexander Björk (SE), Dominika Buczyńska (PL), Deirdre Campbell

(IE), Kārlis Fokrots (LV), Ulyiana Furiv (UA), Hester van der Laan (NL), Alexandru Olariu (RO),

Anja Petrović (RS), Viktoria Piekarska (DE), Margarita Samouridou (CY), Ann-Sophie

Vandommele (BE), Miguel Vera (ES), Truls Ytre-Eide (NO), Wim van Doorn (Chairperson, NL)

The European Youth Parliament,

A.

B.

C.

D.

E. Condemns the extensive human rights violations in Syria, committed predominantly by pro-government forces and including, but not limited to: torture, arbitrary arrests and sexual violence,

Realising that Syria is not a democratic country and that the Alawi minority government has continuously suppressed other cultural and religious groups,

Convinced of the benefits of democracy to establish peace and stability in the affected region,

Noting with satisfaction the merits of Kofi Annan’s 6 point peace plan,

Bearing in mind that the opposition is divided between different organisations which:

i) disagree about the legitimacy of the use of force against the government,

F.

G.

H. ii) disagree about the need for international intervention,

iii) represent different groups in society, most importantly the Kurds and the Sunnis,

Alarmed by the fact that Syria holds the third largest stock of biological and chemical weapons globally and threatens to put them to use in case of a foreign military intervention,

Taking into account that Russia and China continue to veto the UN Security Council’s attempts to impose sanctions and approve military intervention in Syria,

Taking into consideration that the EU and US sanctions adversely affect the Syrian population,

I. Noting with deep concern that there is insufficient capacity to take in refugees in the neighbouring countries,

J. Expressing the hope that Syrian refugees can safely return to their homeland following the end of the conflict,

K. Fully aware that 228 million Euros have been spent by the EU on humanitarian aid in the region, whereas the United Nations (UN) has requested over 420 million Euros to help the Syrian population,

L. Deeply concerned by the number of Kurds that live in Syria without citizenship,

M. Deeply disturbed that there are severe limitations on freedom of speech in Syria, including censorship of the internet, use of propaganda, and forbidding international journalists entry into the country;

1. Urges the UN Security Council to authorise a No Fly Zone above Syria until the end of the conflict, implemented by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO);

3. Resolves that if all other means have failed to force the Syrian government to protect the basic safety and security of its own citizens, the EU will support a peace enforcement mission by the UN;

4. Requests Syria to ratify the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR);

5. Recommends sending EU observers once the conflict has ended to assist in the development of democratic values;

6. Encourages a unified opposition that strives for a democratic transition through dialogue with the government;

7. Proclaims that the use of chemical or biological weapons by the Syrian government is sufficient reason for a peace enforcement mission by the UN;

8. Trusts the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs to engage in negotiations with Russia and China regarding the implementation of sanctions and an arms embargo through the UN Security Council;

9. Further requests the UN Security Council to approve the creation of a safe zone 69 for internally displaced people 70

(IDPs) in Syria;

10. Calls for the stimulation of basic economic activities within the safe zone;

11. Recommends that the EU increases its contribution to the UN humanitarian aid programme for the region;

12. Calls upon the Syrian government to give the Kurds the opportunity to take up full Syrian citizenship;

13. Expresses its hope that the Syrian government will allow Internet Service Providers 71 (ISPs) to operate freely within Syrian territory.

69 A closed off area in which humanitarian support can be provided to internally displaced people.

70 IDPs can be distinguished from refugees by reference to the fact that they have not left their home country.