Stand Up For Humanitarians Under Attack

New Zealand humanitarian aid and development organisations are urging the New Zealand government to speak out strongly from its place on the United Nations Security Council and condemn the air strikes on schools and hospitals in northern Syria that have killed up to 50 people.

“Attacks on medical staff, patients and facilities are a violation of the laws of war,” said Ian McInnes, spokesperson for New Zealand’s coordinating body for development and humanitarian aid, the Council for International Development (CID). “These latest atrocities in Syria are part of an unacceptable escalation of attacks on humanitarian sites around the world. In many cases these violations have occurred in countries where New Zealanders are working to save lives.”

“New Zealand is currently a member of the world’s foremost peace and security body – the UN Security Council,” says McInnes. “Our government should use its voice to demand better protection for civilians, children, doctors and aid workers alike. Those responsible must be held accountable.”

CID notes that this government has worked hard for the protection of civilians while on the Security Council but the latest atrocity needs a more forceful response.

CID joins other leading New Zealand human rights and development organisations in condemning the Syria attacks.

NGO Physicians for Human Rights, who have been tracking the Syrian conflict, report more than 700 humanitarian medical personnel have been killed during the Syrian conflict to date.

ENDS

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