“Violence across Syria has escalated alarmingly, reportedly claiming a life on average every 25 minutes in the past 48 hours. We cannot stand by in the face of this catastrophe. Global NGOs and faith groups demand that President Barack Obama and President Vladimir Putin immediately use their personal diplomatic engagement to save what remains of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) agreement.
In recent days, unacceptable violations of Syria’s CoH and the rules of international law have threatened to doom the initiative in its entirety. Numerous strikes on civilians, including several targeting medical facilities and rescue workers, have killed dozens. This must stop now. Just weeks ago, the US and Russia helped secure the CoH, providing a glimpse of what a respite from violence means for people in Syria. Fewer people died in the first month of Syria’s ceasefire than at almost any other time since the war began. For many, it was the first time in years that they could walk the streets without fear. This was a first glimpse of hope. That hope that now hangs in the balance. Syria is yet again on the brink of humanitarian disaster and the need for action is urgent.
President Obama and President Putin: these atrocities are happening on your watch. Please heed the call of the UN Special Envoy to Syria to take urgent steps to rescue Syria’s cessation of hostilities and end attacks on civilians. Please act now to keep hope alive for Syrians.”
“America and Russia cannot wait to take action on these repeated attacks on humanitarians. They know whose planes are bombing hospitals and must clearly condemn such attacks each and every time they happen,” said David Ray, Vice President for Policy & Advocacy, CARE USA.
Signed:
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11.11.11
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Association for Aid and Relief Japan
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Action on Armed Violence
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Action Contre la Faim
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Andalus Center for tolerance and coexistence
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Arab Coalition for Sudan (ACS)
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Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA)
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ASML
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Bangla 2000
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Baptists Together
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Broederlijk Delen
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The Council for British Arab Understanding (CAABU)
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CAFOD
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CARE International
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CCFD-Terre Solidaire
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Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
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Center for Victims of Torture
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ChildrenPlus
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Christian Aid
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Church of Scotland
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Doctors of the World UK
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Doctors of the World USA
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Euromed (EMHRN)
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International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
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Friends Committee on National Legislation
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Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
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Hand in Hand for Syria
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Helen Bamber Foundation
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Hivos (Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries)
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Hope for Syria
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Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHASM” /Palestine
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iguacu
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Ihsan
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Independent Doctors Association (IDA)
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International Rescue Committee
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Islamic Relief
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Karam Foundation
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Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
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Lord Bishop of Coventry, on behalf of the Church of England
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Madani organisation
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Mayday Rescue
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Medical Aid for Palestinians
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Medics Under Fire
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Middle East and North Africa Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (MENAPPAC)
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Mercy Corps
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Methodist Church in Britain
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Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
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Non-Violence Network in the Arab Countries
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Oxfam
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PAX
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Pax Christi Flanders
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Pax Christi International
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Peace Action
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People in Need
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Permanent Peace Movement
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Physicians Across Continents (PAC)
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Physicians for Human Rights
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Protection Approaches
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Rahma Relief
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Relief International
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Relief & Reconciliation for Syria
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Rethink Rebuild Society
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Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)
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Save the Children
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Sawa for Development and Aid
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STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities
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Syria Charity
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Syria Civil Defence
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Syria Network for Human Rights
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Syria Relief
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Syria Relief and Development
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Syrian British Medical Society
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Syrian Civil Coalition
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Syrian Network for Human Rights
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Tearfund
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The Center for Victims of Torture
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The David Nott Foundation
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The Phoenix Foundation
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The Society for Threatened Peoples (Germany)
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The Syria Campaign
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The United Reformed Church
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Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM)
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Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM) France
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Vision GRAM-International
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War Child
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Win Without War
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Women Now for Development
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Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)