Human Rights Watch reports that extensive sanctions from the US, EU, and UK are obstructing essential services and reconstruction efforts in Syria. These measures disproportionately affect civilians, with millions lacking access to electricity, healthcare, and other basic needs. The organization calls for lifting sanctions to facilitate humanitarian aid and recovery. Critical assessments of sanction policies focus on ensuring humanitarian access while addressing human rights concerns in Syria.
Human Rights Watch has highlighted that extensive sanctions imposed by the US, EU, UK, and other nations are obstructing the essential restoration of services in Syria. Initially targeted at Bashar al-Assad’s regime, these sanctions remain active even after its collapse, contributing to the broader humanitarian crisis. Millions of Syrians are suffering from inadequate access to essential services like electricity and healthcare due to these restrictions.
The ongoing conflict has devastated much of Syria’s infrastructure and economy. Currently, more than 90% of the population lives below the poverty line, with over 16 million requiring humanitarian assistance. The sanctions exacerbate this suffering, impacting crucial reconstruction efforts and operations of humanitarian aid, particularly following the February 2023 earthquakes.
Human Rights Watch urges sanctions to be lifted, emphasizing that access to global financial systems and essential goods is critical for the well-being of civilian Syrians. Specific recommendations include reassessing energy sanctions for fuel and electricity access and ensuring legal assurance for financial transactions, to alleviate the chilling effect of compliance fears.
International sanctions on Syria have been stringent for over 45 years, intensifying since 2011 due to war crimes and human rights abuses by the Assad government. These sanctions encompass asset freezes, travel bans, and trade restrictions affecting banks and essential industries, thereby crippling vital services and economic capacity in the country.
Certain terrorist-designated groups in Syria are also subject to UN sanctions that limit their access to resources. Notably, Hay’et Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which ousted Assad’s government, recently declared its integration into state institutions after its dissolution.
The US has enforced the strictest regulations, severely restricting trade and financial dealings with Syria. The Caesar Act plays a crucial role in extending these restrictions to foreign businesses interacting with the Syrian government, significantly affecting key sectors like oil and gas.
EU sanctions similarly target Syrian crude oil purchases, limit access to financial systems, and restrict essential transactions for banking institutions in Syria. These constraints have cascading effects on the education, technology, and healthcare sectors due to restricted access to necessary imports.
Despite limited updates to sanctions following the Assad government’s fall—such as the US authorizing restricted energy transactions—concerns remain over their sufficiency. Syrian officials have called for reforms, particularly regarding impacts on foreign investment and banking sector restrictions that stall economic recovery.
Reconstruction needs in Syria are estimated to surpass $250 billion, with significant damage to healthcare and educational facilities reported. Urgent interventions are paramount for restoring vital services; however, sanctions further complicate the ongoing humanitarian and economic crises, revealing the necessity of a more practical sanctions framework.
Current sanctions have worsened Syria’s economic situation, resulting in inflation, dwindling essential goods, and operational barriers for aid organizations and businesses. Inadequate humanitarian carve-outs and legal obstacles hinder effective operations and navigation through compliance processes, leading to widespread de-risking by banks.
The US Treasury’s current restrictions do not protect critical communication infrastructure, further stymying access to vital digital resources for Syrians. Overall, lifting broad sanctions while ensuring focused measures against human rights violations is essential to support human rights and economic growth effectively.
Lifting broad sanctions on Syria is imperative to restore essential services and support humanitarian efforts. Current restrictions heavily impact the civilian population and impede reconstruction efforts following years of conflict. A reassessment of sanction policies is necessary, focusing on the need for strategic measures that support human rights rather than exacerbate existing humanitarian crises. Human Rights Watch emphasizes the importance of clear, actionable conditions tied to sanction removals, advocating for prioritizing the well-being of Syrian citizens.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
