The World Council of Churches has expressed its dismay at the escalation of military action against civilians in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, where more than 550 people have now reportedly died in the past week.
In a statement released on Monday, the WCC said it was “saddened and shocked” that violence was continuing despite a UN Security Council resolution passed on Saturday calling for an immediate 30 day ceasefire.
“The continuation of the Syrian army military offensive targeting civilians and preventing access of humanitarian aid to a civilian population, who has been under siege for the last five years, is morally and ethically unacceptable and condemnable by all norms and virtues, as well as by international law and international humanitarian law,” said the statement, signed by Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC.
The WCC has called on the UN and countries who have influence in the conflict, to immediately put an end to the “ongoing tragedy” in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus as well as the enclave of Afrin in the country’s north and other besieged regions in Syria.
“Our hearts and prayers are with all those in Syria who are suffering from war and violence, from injustices and oppression, and from being forgotten by the international community,” the statement said.
“We ask God to comfort all those who have lost their beloved ones. We affirm that we stand in solidarity with the suffering people of Syria and hope that their aspirations for freedom and human dignity will be reached soon through putting an end to this absurd war and engaging in the political process led by the UN in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.”
Rev Dr Tveit added that “[t]he world has to ensure that the people of Syria can now see an end to these actions of war and inhumane conditions”. “Enough is enough!”
The call comes amid reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a daily five hour truce in the conflict starting from Tuesday and that Russia would help set up an evacuation route for civilians in Eastern Ghouta. There are also unverified reports that several people in Eastern Ghouta had suffered symptoms consistent with chlorine gas exposure on Sunday – something which has raised concerns about the possible use of chemical weapons in the area.
On Sunday, Pope Francis used his weekly Angelus address at the Vatican to call for an immediate ceasefire and for humunitarian access.
