Ten years of war in Syria: Briefing for UK parliamentarians

Monday 15 March 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Syrian crisis. The conflict is still ongoing and the situation in Syria and the region remains critical.

10th anniversary of the Syrian crisis
Monday 15 March 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Syrian crisis. The conflict is still ongoing and the situation in Syria and the region remains critical.

On 29-30 March 2021 the international community convenes for a major conference “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” to take stock of international aid to Syria and protection efforts in the crisis.

Recommendations

1. Prioritise the protection of Syrian refugees, wherever they have fled to, and oppose any moves to forcibly return them to Syria in the absence of any meaningful guarantees of safety.

2. Strengthen support for local Syrian civil society groups working to save lives and uphold human rights. In the context of global aid cuts, local groups risking their lives on the frontline should be prioritised for UK funds.

3. Champion political negotiations which address the root causes of the crisis and tackle all forms of ongoing violence, including arbitrary imprisonment, sexual violence, and attacks on civil society space.