B’nai B’rith International commends the White House for calling for the immediate resignation of Syrian President Bashar Assad and announcing what it called “unprecedented sanctions” against the regime. Syria’s ruling regime has perpetrated a brutal crackdown against the Syrian people, killing 2,000 since March. “President Assad has shown a chilling disregard for human rights. B’nai B’rith stands with the international community in calling for maximal action against the Syrian regime,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs.
Even though Assad has claimed actions against pro-democracy protestors have stopped, these assertions belie today’s reports of the shooting of protesters. His calls for reform, as President Obama stated, “have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing and slaughtering his own people.” The United Kingdom, France and Germany issued simultaneous statements calling for Assad’s resignation, followed shortly after by the European Union. Several Arab nations have also denounced Assad’s actions.
U.N. human rights investigators also released a report charging that Assad’s actions “may amount to crimes against humanity.” The United Nations plans to hold an emergency session Aug. 22 to address the escalating violence.
“Assad has violated international law. For the sake of his citizens, we hope the U.N. Security Council will indeed refer his case to the International Criminal Court,” said Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.
B’nai B’rith International has been active at the United Nations since its inception and has a full-time office dedicated to U.N. affairs.
News and 