Syrian Civil Society Activists Urge Constructive Approach to Geneva Talks

[3 March 2017, GENEVA] In the second week of the Geneva talks, Syrian civil society groups active in the Syrian peace process urged negotiating parties to focus on ending the violence and supporting a credible path to political transition.  

“Syrians have been clear since day one of Geneva talks that the Syrian people need the peace talks to deliver tangible results,” Assaad al Achi of Baytna Syria, a leading Syrian-run civil society organization that promotes an inclusive and democratic future for all Syrians, said. “That means parties need to focus on delivering an end to the violence, improving humanitarian aid access, and securing the release of detainees. Parties have an important opportunity here in Geneva to resolve the crisis – and we Syrians are depending on them to represent our interests by constructively advancing the cause of peace and justice.”
Syrian civil society groups are alarmed by the growing number of ceasefire violations taking place during the Geneva talks. A tightening of the siege in al Waer and a sharp increase in shelling and indiscriminate bombing in Qabun, Barzeh, Tishreen and western Harasta by the Syrian regime and Russia, killed dozens of civilians and threatened to imperil the ceasefire. The Syrian regime has refused to engage in substantive talks in Geneva – deliberately obstructing the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to engage on governance discussions and political transition while attacks on the ground increase.
 
“Syrians can’t afford for the regime – or any party in Geneva – to engage in distractions or obstructionism”, Al Achi continued. “Geneva provides a platform to achieve the peace Syrians deserve, it must not be used to ramp up killing or waste time. As civil society, it is we first and foremost that will have to buy into and implement any deal. And we are clear - we want and require Syrian parties to agree to end the violence and secure a political transition. The parties here in Geneva have an obligation to participate constructively in peace talks, and abide by the ceasefire. If that proves impossible, we expect the international community to take the steps necessary to enforce the ceasefire and apply credible consequences for those who would violate it.”      
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