HRW: Syria sanctions hindering reconstruction and essential services News
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HRW: Syria sanctions hindering reconstruction and essential services

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday urged the world’s governments to lift sanctions against Syria. The group maintained that the sanctions, imposed by the US, the EU and the UK on the former Assad regime, hinder reconstruction efforts, the restoration of critical services, and protection of human rights.

Hiba Zayadin, senior Syria researcher at HRW, stated; “Syria is in desperate need of reconstruction and Syrians are struggling to survive. With the collapse of the former government, broad sanctions now stand as a major obstacle to restoring essential services such as health care, water, electricity, and education.” 

The group claimed that the harshest sanctions come from the US, with its 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act prohibiting nearly all US goods exports with limited exceptions for humanitarian aid. The sanctions also cover foreign companies engaged in business with the Syrian government mainly in the construction, energy and engineering sectors. The act also mandates sanctions on actors profiting off the Syrian conflict by engaging in reconstruction activities. The US has made clear that humanitarian aid is an exception to these restrictions stating:

Since the beginning of our sanctions against the Assad regime, we have provided exemptions for humanitarian aid in all areas of Syria. In fact, there are US government programs working with NGOs to deliver medicines and foodstuff to nearly all parts of Syria, including regime-held areas.

The EU and the UK have imposed similar sanctions, banning the purchase of Syrian crude oil, and restricting investments.

As these government bodies reevaluate these sanctions, the HRW urges the governments to consider and prioritize the well-being of Syrian citizens, allowing Syria access to global financial systems, ending trade restrictions on essential goods, and addressing energy sanctions to ensure access to fuel and electricity.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on January 9 has similarly called for immediate funding to guarantee essential services of healthcare and education in Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime and the return of Syrian refugees.

The US has taken steps to help the crisis, with former president Biden waiving a foreign assistance restriction, allowing US aid to flow to a handful of countries if they assist Syria. The US Treasury also issued General License 24, allowing certain transactions with the Syrian government. The EU also reached a political agreement to suspend certain restrictions gradually and conditionally.

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