June, 14 2013, 03:52pm EDT
Women Speak Out: No Arms for Syrian Rebels
MADRE, an international women's human rights organization, spoke out today to oppose the Obama Administration's decision to send arms to Syrian opposition forces.
NEW YORK
MADRE, an international women's human rights organization, spoke out today to oppose the Obama Administration's decision to send arms to Syrian opposition forces.
"There is no question about the brutality of Assad's regime," said Yifat Susskind, Executive Director. "Its repression was exactly what drove Syrians to rise up in peaceful protests two years ago. First, these nonviolent organizers were sidelined by the armed opposition. Now, they are being sidelined again by President Obama, in favor of further militarizing a conflict that ultimately has no military solution."
She went on to say, "The Obama Administration should be offering political and diplomatic support to people who share a vision rooted in human rights. This will mean creating space for Syrians to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict, prioritizing women's participation."
MADRE noted that Syria is already awash in weapons that will be circulating in the area for years to come. Funneling more arms to the opposition will only intensify the war and further diminish chances of a democratic outcome for Syria.
For more information, click here to read MADRE's Q & A on the War in Syria.
Available for interview:
Yifat Susskind, MADRE Executive Director, works with women's human rights activists from Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, creating programs to address violence against women, economic development, climate change, armed conflict and more.
MADRE is an international women's human rights organization that partners with community-based women's groups to advance women's human rights, challenge injustice and create social change in contexts of war, conflict, disaster and their aftermath. MADRE advocates for a world in which all people enjoy individual and collective human rights; natural resources are shared equitably and sustainably; women participate effectively in all aspects of society; and all people have a meaningful say in policies that affect their lives. For more information about MADRE, visit www.madre.org.
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