Press release
Department of Media and Communications
Syrian National Coalition – Syria
May 7, 2020
During late February and early March of this year, many Syrians who fled the war in Syria have attempted to cross to Europe through Greece. We were horrified by the treatment of the Greek authorities towards the Syrian refugees who attempted to cross the Turkey-Greece border.
As we learned from primary and secondary sources that Syrian refugees, including women and children, have been subjected to unjustified violence, we have instructed Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers in London to file an official complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants. We have also asked them to write a communication to the organs within European Union and the Council of Europe responsible for human rights and refugees.
The Syrian National Coalition connected Guernica 37 to individuals who have been directly affected by the treatment of Greek authorities at the borders, and who sustained serious physical injuries, had their belongings confiscated, and were subjected to inhumane treatment. Guernica 37 has now made the communications, detailing the horrifying accounts that each individual gave and how these acts are not in line with Greece’s international legal obligations.
We call upon Greece, the EU, and the UN to hold those responsible to account and provide reparations for all Syrian refugees affected by such treatment. We also call upon Greece to prevent such acts from occurring again and to abide by all relevant laws with regards to the treatments of refugees and asylum seekers.
Guernica 37 is an International Justice Chambers specializing in transnational litigation enforcing human rights and international criminal norms in national courts. It is made up of a diverse team of lawyers from Europe, United Kingdom and United States of America with professional experience building legal accountability strategies around the globe. Its team is also experienced in advising and assisting States as they commence a process of structural reform and transformation following periods of political instability, post-conflict, post-authoritarian regimes or corruption.
We also remind the international community, particularly those involved directly or indirectly in the Syrian cause, that the only way to ensure ending the suffering of Syrians anywhere, is through a comprehensive political solution, which can only be achieved by the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254.
