Caabu is one of over 30 Syrian, regional and international humanitarian and human rights organisations, including Crisis Action, the IRC and Christian Aid, who are signatories to a statement on the Russia-Syrian proposal to establish "humanitarian corridors" out of Aleppo. The statement follows below.
“HUMANITARIAN CORRIDOR” PROPOSAL DEEPLY FLAWED
We are extremely alarmed at Russia and Syria's joint proposal to set up so-called "humanitarian corridors" out of eastern Aleppo. We consider the proposal deeply flawed on humanitarian grounds and consider it warning for the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to urgently step up efforts to end the use of brutal siege tactics and illegal attacks on civilians.
A true humanitarian operation would not force the people of Aleppo to choose between fleeing into the arms of their attackers or remaining in a besieged area under continued bombardment. No one should be forced to flee or remain, and measures must be put in place for the UN to ensure and monitor the safety and protection of anyone voluntarily evacuating.
Far from averting a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo, we are gravely concerned that the proposal for "humanitarian corridors" forewarns of a significant risk to civilians who remain. A ‘safe passage’ offer does not mean that those who stay behind become legitimate military targets. The city cannot be allowed to become another theatre for mass slaughter.
If Russia is serious about averting a humanitarian disaster in Aleppo it should strongly support the UN's call for an immediate weekly 48-hour humanitarian pause to ensure safe, unimpeded and immediate humanitarian access – both for aid to get into Aleppo and for civilians to leave voluntarily. As long as the bombing, shelling and fighting continues, and in the absence of any genuine confidence-building measures, civilians cannot be expected to trust in the safety of walking through these proposed corridors. All efforts of the ISSG must focus on pushing for a sustained ceasefire, and for an immediate end to the shameless and unacceptable attacks on hospitals and civilian targets.
Signed:
1. ASML
2. AWO International
3. Bridgeof Peace
4. CAABU
5. CARE International
6. CCFD-Terre Solidaire
7. Christian Aid
8. Doctors of the World UK
9. EuroMed Rights (EMHRN)
10. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
11. GOAL
12. Hand in Hand for Syria
13. Human Appeal International
14. Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHASM” /Palestine
15. Islamic Relief USA
16. Karam Foundation
17. Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
18. NuDay Syria
19. Oxfam
20. Refugees International
21. Relief & Reconciliation for Syria
22. Relief International
23. Rethink Rebuild Society
24. Save the Children
25. Stichting Vluchteling
26. SyriaRelief
27. SyriaRelief and Development
28. Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)
29. Tearfund
30. The International Rescue Committee
31. The Syria Campaign
32. Trocaire
33. Vision GRAM-International
34. WATAN
35. WILPF
36. World Vision
