DISINFO: EU sanctions against Syrians is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law
SUMMARY
[EU sanctions against Syria] are not sanctions; according to the rules of international law they are unilateral measures taken by a group of states against a sovereign state. Their decision is purely for political purposes. However, from a legal point of view, does this decision affect the state and its nationals? Yes. Therefore, according to the laws and rules of international humanitarian law, they are blatantly violating these rules.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the Syrian war and belligerent intentions of the West against Syria.
Within the context of the Syrian conflict, EU sanctions, imposed since 9 May 2011, respond to the repression perpetrated on the Syrian people by the Syrian regime and its supporters, including through the use of live ammunition against peaceful protesters and the regime’s involvement in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. EU sanctions against the regime were extended in May 2020 for one year, and in October 2020, new seven individual ministers were added to the list.
The goal of these measures is not to destroy Syria or wage an economic war, but to put pressure on the Syrian regime to halt its repression and negotiate a lasting political settlement of the Syrian crisis in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 under UN auspices. They are part and parcel of the EU’s wider approach to the Syria crisis, as outlined in the EU strategy on Syria.
EU sanctions are designed in a way that only targets the specific individuals and entities on the sanctions list, avoiding negative impacts on the population. They comply with all obligations under international law, in particular international refugee law, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law.
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