Coordinator of the Foreign Relations Department of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abdulahad Astepho, has criticized any United Nations initiative facilitating the Assad regime’s evasion of Western sanctions, deeming it a detrimental step in the wrong direction.
In a press statement, Astepho criticized the United Nations’ proposed establishment of a special fund intended to provide donors with aid currently restricted by American and Western sanctions against the Assad regime.
Astepho underscored the inherent untrustworthiness of the Assad regime regarding humanitarian aid or programs aimed at alleviating Syrian suffering. He emphasized the regime’s responsibility for the ongoing plight of Syrians, citing reliable United Nations human rights reports documenting regime atrocities against civilians. Furthermore, Astepho highlighted regime practices of misappropriating aid and grants, diverting resources to its military machine, and perpetrating violence against civilians.
Astepho stressed the imperative of prioritizing effective political action by the United Nations to facilitate a political solution in line with relevant UN resolutions on Syria, notably the Geneva Communique of 2012, as well as UN Resolutions 2118 and 2254.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
