“This resolution sends a clear message: the Syrian people—Kurds, Yezidis, Christians, Alawites, and all communities—deserve an inclusive future, free from the al-Assad regime’s half-century of cruelty and the devastation enabled by the dictators in Russia and Iran that sustained him for so many years,” said Chair Cardin.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led the introduction of a resolution affirming the need for a stable and secure Syria to ensure peace in the Middle East and strengthen global security. The resolution underscores the importance of protecting religious and ethnic minorities, including Syrian Kurds, Yezidis, and Chaldeans, while calling for a peaceful and inclusive political transition. It also emphasizes efforts to rebuild Syrian civil society and lay the foundation for long-term stability. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), as well as Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Jason Crow (CO-06), joined as original co-sponsors.
“A stable and secure Syria is essential for peace in the Middle East and global security at a critical moment,” said Chair Cardin. “This resolution sends a clear message: the Syrian people—Kurds, Yezidis, Christians, Alawites, and all communities—deserve an inclusive future, free from the al-Assad regime’s half-century of cruelty and the devastation enabled by the dictators in Russia and Iran that sustained it for so many years. The United States and the global community must focus on protecting vulnerable populations, supporting an inclusive political transition, and rebuilding Syrian civil society. By holding perpetrators of atrocities accountable and working together, we can help empower Syrians to reclaim their country and build the future they deserve and have long fought to achieve.”
“In introducing this joint resolution with Chairman Cardin and my colleagues, I stand in solidarity with the Syrian people who, for decades, suffered under Assad's brutal repression and countless war crimes,” said Ranking Member Gregory Meeks. “As we look to a new day for millions of Syrians, it is critical any transitional government is inclusive and represents and respects the rights of Syria’s many ethnic and religious minority communities—including Syrian Kurds, Yezidis, Christians, and others. I am also particularly concerned about the recent increase in violence against Syrian Kurdish communities. Finally, I call on the Biden Administration to engage with and support the Syrian people, in light of the significant humanitarian needs at hand, and continue to work to secure the release of Austin Tice.”
The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
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