Changes between two versions
What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text
From · plenary report· 19 Feb 2024
on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria
To · adopted text· 28 Feb 2024
Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the situation in Syria
+6 added · −6 removed · 15 changed paragraphs, packaging included.
Part 2 of 3: Paragraphs 61–65
Change 15
Changed:(q)(r) strongly condemn Russia’s countless vetoes against delivering aid to the people in the north of Syria, specifically its veto on the renewal of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2672 (2023), thereby not allowing an extension of humanitarian access through Bab al-Hawa; denounce once again Russia’s attempts to tarnish the image of the ‘White Helmets’ (Syrian civil defence); stress that the White Helmets play a significant role in the rescue of Syrian civilians; commend the work of journalists, bloggers and individuals as well as organisations, such as the White Helmets, who, despite the brutality of the regime, continue to carry out their work in the country, informing the international community, supporting victims on the ground and maintaining their focus on the future of the country; note the government’s decision to grant further access to UN humanitarian agencies and partners through the Bab al-Hawa corridor until 13 JanuaryJuly 2024,2024; anddeplore the absence of a decision extending access through Bab al-Salam and al-Raial-Rai, which had previously been renewed until 13 February 2024; remind all parties responsible of the absolute need to keep these accesses open; urge the Commission and the Member States to, in parallel with robust diplomatic action at the level of the UN Security Council, obtain the continued operation of the border crossings of Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salaam and al-Rai, for at least 12 months; explore the possibility of also channelling resources through the recently established ‘Aid Fund for Northern Syria’; condemn the systematic attempts by the Syrian regime to divert international humanitarian aid and transfer it to militias, and the regime’s manipulation of exchange rates in order to appropriate the majority of the aid destined for the territories under its control;
4 unchanged paragraphs
(s) recall that Syria cannot be regarded, in whole or in part, as a safe country for the return of Syrian nationals living as refugees and asylum seekers in Europe and around the world, people who have fled the crimes of the regime and risk torture and enforced disappearance if they return to Syria; reiterate to host countries, such as Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt, that Syria is not a safe country, neither in whole nor in part, and that Syrian nationals can therefore not return safely; stress that each and every return must be voluntary and be under dignified conditions; stress that some Syrians have fled terror organisations operating in Syria such as ISIS; stress that there are areas in Syria where violent jihadist groups and militias are still active; highlight the impact of the Syrian conflict on the 438 000 Palestinian refugees estimated to be in the country and who depend primarily on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for their basic needs; express concern regarding the Agency’s financial situation and call for Palestinian refugees to be better included in the EU’s humanitarian plans in Syria;
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2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and to have it translated and published in Arabic.