To: The United Nations, the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council, the European Union, international human rights organizations, and all governments capable of taking action to protect civilians
Subject: An urgent call for effective international protection against killings, kidnappings, forced displacement, and extrajudicial executions targeting religious and ethnic minorities and other vulnerable communities in Syria
We issue this urgent humanitarian appeal to the international community amid growing concerns about the safety of civilians in Syria and reports of killings, kidnappings, forced displacement, and serious human rights violations affecting members of the Alawite community, Christians, and other religious and social minoritie
Reports and testimonies concerning massacres and abuses allegedly committed by members of armed formations affiliated with Syria’s current authorities raise grave concerns about the safety of civilians, the right to life, and the fundamental principle that every person deserves security and dignity, regardless of religious identity or community affiliation
We call for independent and transparent investigations into these allegations, immediate measures to prevent further violence, and accountability for all individuals found responsible for serious crimes under international law
I. Protecting Human Life Must Be an Immediate International Priority
Civilian lives must never become instruments of political conflict, and religious or sectarian identity must never be used as a justification for murder, collective punishment, revenge, or forced displacement
Alawites, Christians, Druze, Ismailis, and all other minorities, like Sunni Muslims and every other Syrian community, have the fundamental right to live in safety, dignity, and freedom from persecution
The continued reports of violence and abuses, if left unaddressed, risk triggering further displacement, destroying local communities, separating families, and placing children, older people, and other vulnerable civilians at greater risk
The international community must not abandon civilians to fear and uncertainty. No individual should be targeted, threatened, detained arbitrarily, or deprived of protection because of religion, sect, political opinion, or place of origin
II. Our Urgent Demands to the International Community
We call upon the United Nations, the Security Council, influential governments, and relevant international organizations to take the following measures
Establish effective protection for civilians at risk
Urgently assess and implement all appropriate and lawful measures to protect threatened civilian populations, in coordination with relevant international bodies and in accordance with international law
Deploy independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms
Support independent investigations into reported killings, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, forced displacement, and identity-based violence. Ensure that evidence is collected professionally, impartially, and securely
Demand an immediate end to extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detention
Press the current Syrian authorities and all armed formations to prevent attacks against civilians, end unlawful detention and collective reprisals, and respect the right to life, due process, and fair trial guarantees
Ensure accountability for serious crimes
Support the preservation of evidence, the protection of witnesses, and appropriate legal proceedings against anyone found responsible for serious violations, regardless of position, political affiliation, or armed-group membership
Prevent forced displacement and protect the right to return
Reject the forced removal of civilian populations and any unlawful attempts to alter the demographic composition of communities. Protect homes and property, and ensure that displaced people can return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity when conditions permit
Guarantee humanitarian and medical assistance
Ensure that food, medicine, shelter, emergency healthcare, and other essential assistance reach affected populations without discrimination based on religion, sect, ethnicity, or political affiliation
Establish safe channels for reporting abuses
Enable victims and witnesses to report violations to appropriate international bodies without fear of retaliation. Protect their identities, personal information, and physical safety
Guarantee equal protection for all Syrians
Ensure that international protection efforts are guided by the level of risk and humanitarian need, rather than political interests or religious and sectarian identity
III. Minorities Must Not Be Left to Live Under the Threat of Violence
Syrians who fear murder, kidnapping, persecution, or retaliation because of their identity need meaningful protection and enforceable guarantees—not merely statements of concern or promises of future action
Our call for protection is not directed against any Syrian religious community, nor does it advocate revenge, hatred, or collective punishment. It is a call to protect civilians, prevent atrocities, and ensure that no person is targeted because of faith, community, political beliefs, or geographical origin
Protecting Alawites, Christians, and other vulnerable minorities does not conflict with protecting Sunni Muslims or any other community. The protection of every civilian is the foundation of a safe, just, and stable Syria
The future of Syria must be built on equal citizenship, the rule of law, accountability, and respect for human rights—not sectarian retaliation or the exclusion of entire communities
IV. The International Community Must Act Before the Crisis Deepens
The international community must use the legal, diplomatic, humanitarian, and other appropriate tools available to prevent further abuses. Action must not be postponed until the number of victims grows and the damage becomes irreversible
We urge governments with influence over the situation in Syria to press for an immediate end to attacks against civilians, facilitate independent monitoring, support the protection of witnesses, and ensure that credible evidence of serious crimes is preserved
We also call upon international media organizations, human rights groups, humanitarian agencies, and independent investigators to monitor developments, verify information, document the experiences of affected civilians, and ensure that their suffering is not ignored
Every allegation of a massacre or organized crime must be investigated independently and impartially. Such allegations must neither be dismissed without investigation nor used to justify hatred or collective punishment against innocent people
V. Our Immediate Humanitarian Demands
We respectfully call upon the United Nations, the Security Council, and concerned governments to
Take urgent action to prevent further civilian casualties
Pursue appropriate, effective, and lawful international protection measures for populations facing serious threats
Conduct independent investigations into reported killings, kidnappings, forced displacement, and extrajudicial executions
Ensure accountability for all individuals found responsible for serious violations
Guarantee humanitarian access to affected communities
Protect displaced people and facilitate safe, voluntary, and dignified returns
Reject sectarian discrimination, incitement to violence, and collective punishment
Guarantee equal protection and equal human rights for every Syrian, regardless of religious or sectarian affiliation
A Final Appeal to the Conscience of the World
To the United Nations, the Security Council, and every government committed to the fundamental right to life and human dignity
Do not leave Syria’s civilians alone in the face of the threat of killing, kidnapping, and forced displacement. Do not make a person’s right to protection dependent on religious or sectarian identity. Act before further families lose their loved ones, their homes, and their sense of safety
We call for meaningful and effective international protection for civilians at risk, independent mechanisms to monitor and investigate violations, and fair accountability for all those found responsible for crimes, regardless of their position or affiliation
Syria cannot achieve lasting stability through fear, revenge, or the forced displacement of its people. Stability can only be built by protecting all communities, safeguarding fundamental rights, upholding justice, and ending impunity
SAVE CIVILIAN LIVES IN SYRIA. PROTECT MINORITIES AND ALL VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. STOP THE ABUSES. MAKE THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN LIFE AND DIGNITY AN IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL PRIORITY
The time available for action may make the difference between saving lives and losing them
