Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
November 13, 2021
The principled position that was expressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani on the need to hold the Assad regime accountable and refrain from legitimizing it and normalization of ties with it deserves praise as it came in line with the Qatari positions in support of the Syrian people since the beginning of their revolution. This stance is also fully consistent with the Arab League and UN resolutions, and reflect the positions of the Arab peoples.
The Assad regime’s crimes have been ongoing on for ten years, including the displacement of half of the Syrian people, the killing of about a million, the destruction of the country’s infrastructure, and the looting of Syria’s resources for over 50 years. Any bid for legitimization or rehabilitation of the Assad regime will therefore be immoral and will encourage war criminals to continue their atrocities against peoples.
The Assad regime’s ongoing massacres against the Syrian people require an international mechanism for confronting this regime and holding those responsible for war crimes accountable. The firm Qatari position represents a lever that supports the Syrian people in this context.
The position of our brothers in Qatar has always been supportive of the Syrian people on the political and relief levels. We look forward to the contribution and coordination by all sisterly and friendly states, especially Saudi Arabia and Turkey, in order to push towards a political solution in accordance with UN resolutions.
It is imperative that Arab states assume their responsibilities with regard to urging the international community, the UN Security Council and international actors towards establishing a strict international mechanism in which sanctions are combined with practical measures within a specific time frame that ensures an immediate end to the ongoing carnage in Syria and the suffering of tens of thousands of detainees in the Assad regime’s prisons. Such mechanism is also needed to ensure the safe return of refugees and the IDPs as well as to enforce UN resolutions, especially Resolution 2254.
We renew our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and friends who adhere to the principles of freedom, dignity and justice, who are committed to supporting the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Syrian people, and who stand firmly and by UN resolutions.
