February 9, 2012

Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council denounced support of the Syrian regime by the Chinese, Russian and Iranian governments, shielding Damascus from accountability for atrocities against its own civilians. MPAC also released a policy position paper on the current unrest in Syria, “The Current Challenges to the Syrian Democratic Revolution.”

The paper analyzes the egregious violence perpetrated by the Bashar al-Assad regime, examines historical trends in dealing with human rights policy toward the Middle East and North Africa, and makes policy recommendations to decision makers in government.

SEE: The Current Challenges to the Syrian Democratic Revolution (MPAC.org)

MPAC’s position paper on the Syrian democratic revolution provides three recommendations:

• Create a free and democratic Syria without resorting to war
• Provide access for humanitarian relief, human rights and independent media organizations
• Bring human rights violators to justice

In just the few short weeks of 2012, the death toll in Syria has risen astronomically. The latest atrocities include another 50 Syrians killed in the city of Homs. Echoing President Barack Obama’s most recent remarks on Syria, MPAC is committed to the idea that “every government has the responsibility to protect its citizens, and any government that brutalizes and massacres its people does not deserve to govern.”

Despite the atrocities being committed against the Syrian people, Russia, China and Iran have continued to support the regime. Russia and China have used their permanent member status on the United Nations Security Council to block resolutions condemning the violence. Meanwhile, Iran has joined Beijing and Moscow in putting geopolitics above moral principles by providing arms, training and material support to the regime’s security services.

“The greed of these countries is costing human lives,” said Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President. “In the pursuit of the basic right of self-governance, Syrian citizens are being brutally massacred. Now is the time for action; now is the time for us to stand by the Syrian people.”

MPAC stands in solidarity with the Syrian people and supports their democratic aspirations in defense of the right to democracy and human dignity.

In June 2011, in partnership with the New America Foundation, MPAC held its Syria Policy Forum in Washington, DC that brought together Syrian-American community leaders, government officials, and non-governmental experts to discuss the situation in Syria and provide policy recommendations to government decisionmakers.

WATCH: MPAC’s Syria Forum in Washington, DC (Vimeo)

SEE ALSO: Policymakers, Syrian Community Leaders Discuss Future of U.S.-Syria Policy at MPAC Forum (7/1/11)