The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) said that as per the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other international treaties and covenants, the international community has clear responsibilities towards the lives of about 30,000 Syrian children who have been killed so far in Syria.
In a press release marking the World Children’s Day, the SOC stressed that it is incumbent on the global community to achieve justice for them; hold accountable those responsible for war crimes; and refer these crimes to the International Criminal Court.
“In addition to what our children have been exposed to since 2011 as a result of the brutal war that the Assad regime and its allies are waging against the Syrian people, the coronavirus crisis came to exacerbate the plight of Syrian children and further burden the Syrian Interim Government in this regard,” the SOC added.
The SOC stressed “the need to step up support for the Syrian Interim Government to meet the needs of millions of Syrian children. All international actors are required to shoulder their responsibilities with regards to empowering SIG to effectively assume its role and provide the essential services and salvage the future of Syria as having an indisputable impact on the region and beyond.”
“SIG is making every effort to reach Syrian children everywhere with the aim of providing basic services, especially in the areas of education and health. It is also worth pointing to the efforts civil society organizations in Syria are making to support children and provide them with services.”
Moreover, the SOC said that “catering for children, respecting their rights, and unlocking their potential are duties that stem from our morals and traditions and are consistent with the teachings of our religion. Individuals, institutions and social bodies can bear some of the responsibility as everyone is able to provide assistance and contribute to ensuring a better future for our children.”
“The importance of international days is not limited to their role in educating us about the most important issues, as these occasions serve as a reminder for the international community of its responsibilities. On the World Children’s Day, there is an urgent need to remind the international community of its responsibilities with regards to the children of Syria and the implementation of international resolutions.” (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
