Russia must act to help stop the bloodshed in Syria
‘How much blood must we pay before the world helps?’ - Abu Suhaib, a Syrian hospitalised in Jordan
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Find out more about the situation in Syria
The situation on the ground in Syria remains dire. Civilians, including children, are bearing the brunt of violence, particularly in Aleppo where there is a bitter battle between Syrian government forces and opposition fighters. The Syrian government are increasingly using aircrafts and artillery to strike residential areas which is further exposing civilian residents to harm.
We are calling on the UN Security Council to bring the situation in Syria before the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who would be able to look at allegations of crimes committed by government and opposition forces.
But members of the Council have failed to take concrete action to stop the bloodshed in Syria, with Russia and China blocking UN Security Council Resolutions aimed at resolving the situation. Such lack of consideration for human rights underlines the inadequacy of the international community’s response to the ever deteriorating situation in the country.
With the death toll increasing by the day, Russia must urgently take action to stop the bloodshed and stop blocking international efforts to do so.
Over 24,000 killed
We have the names of over 24,000 people killed since the crackdown on largely peaceful protests began in March 2011. Many more have been injured.Read the background
On 27 March 2012 the Syrian government accepted a ‘six-point plan’ by Kofi Annan and a ceasefire was agreed on 12 April. A UN observer mission entered the country two days later but the violence continues to rage - more than 1,460 people have been killed since.
Why Russia?
Whilst Russia supported a UN Security Council Resolution on 14 April calling for the full implementation of Kofi Annan's plan, it continues to supply the Syrian government with arms.
Russia has repeatedly wielded its veto at the UN Security Council to block or weaken resolutions aimed at stopping the violence in Syria.
