On 21 January 2021, almost 100 academics, religious leaders, diplomats, human rights activists from around the world sent open letters to President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron, asking them to end the collective punishment of the Syrian people.

Now we need your voice. Help to keep the pressure on — sign the petition to end sanctions on Syria.

WHY STOP ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON SYRIA?

Economic sanctions contribute to large-scale poverty, destroying Syria’s health and social services infrastructure, whilst traumatising the civilian population and driving mass displacement. They:

1. Restrict access to essential food supplies and basics like soap and disinfectant.

2. Restrict access to ventilators and other life-saving medical equipment, at a time when thousands of Syrians are dying of COVID-19.

3. Hamper the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine programmes by depriving local healthcare services of fuel and electricity.

4. Have accelerated the Syrian currency’s devaluation, contributing to skyrocketing prices and falling wages.

5. Enrich and empower armed groups, who profit from smuggling essential goods after legitimate commercial channels are closed.

6. Deter aid organisations from supporting much-needed reconstruction projects.

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN

“Millions of hard-pressed Syrians will go to bed hungry and cold tonight. Unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States make the economic plight of the Syrian people worse.”

“We urge you, Mr. President, to help Syrians to alleviate a humanitarian crisis that threatens to trigger a new wave of instability in the Middle East and beyond by implementing the UN Special Rapporteur’s recommendation.”

Read the full letter | list of signatories

Letters were also sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron.

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