Global conference of MPs calls for immediate humanitarian access to the civilian population in Syria

Geneva, 26 October 2016

MPs call for ending the war in Syria. ©AFP/Abd Doumany

The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) 135th Assembly urged all relevant parties to bring an end to this war. They also called today for the immediate, unimpeded and permanent humanitarian and medical access to the civilian population in Syria in order to ensure that supplies reach over 550,000 people in besieged areas deprived from almost all humanitarian aid.

In an emergency resolution adopted by consensus today at the IPU Assembly, the Organization urged all parties to the conflict to reinstate the ceasefire agreement of September 2016, and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel

Acknowledging that over 11 million people have lost their homes in Syria, 6.5 million of whom are internally displaced, and that 4.8 million have had to flee abroad since the outbreak of hostilities, MPs addressed the war and the severe humanitarian situation in Syria, particularly in Aleppo. “Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and the besiege and forceful evacuation of cities must stop with immediate effect,” they said.

MPs also urged the Russian Federation and the United States of America and all relevant parties involved in the conflict to resume serious dialogue aiming at a permanent peaceful and political solution and maintaining the unity and integrity in Syria, and bring an end to a war that is claiming the lives of men, women and children.

In the long term, the resolution adds, the situation of the Syrian people cannot be improved through humanitarian measures, but only through political negotiations.