The undersigned organizations demand a rejection by the United Nations and the international community of this attempt by the Assad regime to gain legitimacy while continuing to commit human rights abuses.
May 30, 2021
Joint Statement
This week’s Syrian elections are the latest example by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad of a trend of a lack of free and fair democracy.
WASHINGTON D.C., May 29, 2021 – A coalition of Syrian American organizations denounces the latest round of elections in Syria and makes clear that the elections are part of a fraudulent and illegitimate electoral process that is neither free nor fair. The elections are outside of the framework of transparency and accountability described in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 and do not include the voices of all Syrians, especially refugees, internally displaced Syrians, and those in the diaspora.
The undersigned organizations demand a rejection by the United Nations and the international community of this attempt by the Assad regime to gain legitimacy while continuing to commit human rights abuses. This week’s scene of Bashar al-Assad voting in Douma, the very city that he bombed with chemical weapons only three years ago is a clear demonstration of the ongoing impunity wielded by the regime.
The undersigned organizations extend their sincere appreciation to United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, and UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for their statement condemning the elections and hope that this statement represents the first step towards real policy changes that will lead to a political transition prioritizing accountability and the right to vote in free and fair elections.
After ten years of violence and crimes against humanity by Bashar al-Assad and his criminal regime, this week’s sham elections are not an inclusive and Syrian-led political transitional process, and should never be used in discussions about the future of Syria. The protests across Syria against this week’s elections bring hope that the voices of the free Syrian people will be heard and that their perspectives will be a core component of any future political process.
Organizations signing on to this statement include:
Americans for a Free Syria
Citizens for a Secure and Safe America Civilian Council for American Security Free Syria PAC
Kayla’s List PAC
Pro-Justice Initaitive
Syria Faith Initiative
Syrian American Council
Syrian Christians for Peace in USA Syrian Emergency Task Force
Syrian Forum USA
