Unilateral Measures Imposed on Syrians Amount to War Crimes: UN Special Rapporteur

Unilateral measures imposed on the Syrian people severely affect human rights, hamper any efforts of early recovery, and block the reconstruction process in Syria, a UN official said.

Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, said during a press conference in Damascus that “the unilateral measures have greatly and badly affected the Syrian pharmaceutical sector, caused a severe shortage, especially with regard to chronic diseases and medical equipment, and also affected the availability of equipment and spare parts needed for the rehabilitation and development of drinking water and irrigation networks, which may cause serious challenges to public health and food security”.

“Talking about good will and intentions of the unilateral coercive measures does not justify violation of basic human rights, and the international community must stand together in solidarity and to provide aid to the Syrian people” Douhan added, according to SANA.

Dohan called for “the immediate lifting of these measures” as they “amount to war crimes committed against the Syrian people”.