The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Applaud Extension and Redesignation of Temporary Protected Status For Syria

6,700 individuals stand to benefit from the extension, and 1,800 individuals stand to benefit from the redesignation

WASHINGTON D.C., January 29, 2021 –  Today, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria applaud the Biden administration for its decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Syria to September 2022, and to redesignate 1,800 individuals, making them eligible to file for TPS. TPS provides protection from deportation and permission to work for eligible nationals of countries that have been designated temporarily too dangerous for return. An estimated 8,500  people are set to benefit from the redesignation and extension. This decision provides a strong starting point for the new administration’s relationship with Syrian Americans and a Syria policy that promotes the safety of Syrian civilians and their aspirations for a free and democratic Syria.

The Syrian American Council Strongly Condemns Attack on United States Capitol

The members, staff, and supporters of the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria watched in disbelief as the basic values of American democracy were threatened in the Capitol on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON D.C., January 13, 2021 –  The Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria mourn the senseless loss of life and strongly condemn the horrific attack on the U.S. Capitol last week. We also call upon the U.S. government to ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable, and specifically urges Congress to conduct an investigation into the incitement and disinformation which led to the attack.

A Coalition of Syrian American Organizations Decry the Inappropriate Use of “Restorative Justice” by United Nations Syria Envoy

On the anniversary of the passage of the United Nations Security Resolution 2254, a coalition of Syrian American organizations call on the United Nations to pursue accountability for all those responsible for atrocities while following the steps outlined in the resolution that will lead to a peaceful political transition.

WASHINGTON D.C., December 22, 2020 – A coalition of Syrian American organizations advise a recommitment by the United Nations to a political transition that prioritizes accountability as a prerequisite for any national reconciliation as laid out in UNSCR 2254. This comes in light of inaccurate statements on December 16 by the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on behalf of the “middle third” of the Constitutional Committee during a United Nations Security Council briefing. The comments erroneously reported that civil society members of the group had called for “restorative justice” instead of “transitional justice” in their talking points. After almost ten years of violence and crimes against humanity by Bashar al-Assad and his criminal regime, restorative justice is not a substitute for an inclusive and Syrian-led political transitional process and should never be used in discussions about the future of Syria.

Syrian American Council Calls for Accountability on Fifth Anniversary of Russian Involvement in Syria

Five years of Russian intervention has brought devastation and suffering to Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., October 1, 2020 – This week marks a somber anniversary for the Syrian people. Five years ago this week, Russia entered the war in Syria to prop up a brutal dictator by bombing the besieged community of Talbiseh in northern Homs, killing 33 civilians. In the resulting years, Russia has formed the pillars of its strategy in Syria, using the pretense of fighting the Islamic State to counter threats to the rule of Bashar- al Assad and bomb civilians in areas controlled by the Free Syrian Army and other opposition groups. The Syrian American Council reiterates calls for the Assad regime to be removed, and for Russia and Iran to withdraw their forces from the country and to return the natural resources and property rights they have pillaged to the Syrian people.

Mass Graves Around Damascus Are a Reminder That Bashar al-Assad Remains the Biggest Threat to Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., September 22, 2020 –  On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, an unnamed witness provided testimony in a courtroom in Koblenz, Germany during the prosecution of Anwar Raslan and Eyad al Gharib that described the mass graves he helped dig around Damascus and the hundreds of victims that they buried in them each day: men, women, and children with visible signs of torture, all numbered and recorded as they were processed through Assad’s industrial-scale killing machine. The Syrian American Council calls on the United States and other western governments to follow Germany’s lead in preventing impunity among Syrian regime officials and for immediate action to remove the Assad regime from power in order to stop the atrocities and begin the road to recovery for Syria.

Aid to Civilians in North Syria Must Continue, Despite Russian and Chinese Veto

Syrian American organizations call for cross-border aid to continue, going directly to humanitarian and civil society groups on the ground

WASHINGTON D.C., July 11, 2020 – Syrian American organizations express their concern at the July 7, 2020, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on a draft resolution to reauthorize the cross-border humanitarian aid delivery mechanism in northern Syria that expired on July 10. The decision by Russia and China to exercise their veto to reject the proposal to reauthorize the Bab al-Salam and Bab-al Hawa crossings for 12 months will leave civilians without lifesaving support. 

The Syrian American Council Calls for Renewal of the Cross-border Resolution by United Nations Security Council

The Assad regime and its Russian backers continue to use denial of aid as a weapon of war against Syrian civilians

WASHINGTON D.C., July 7, 2020 – The Syrian American Council urges the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to renew Resolution 2504 (2165), which will expire on July 10, 2020, for 12 months. Further, the Syrian American Council calls on the UNSC to amend the resolution to include, in addition to Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings, the Al Yaroubiyah and Al Ramtha border crossings. The Assad regime, backed by Russia, continue to weaponize aid, a war crime under the Rome statute, and a crime condemned by the UNSC in Resolution 2417. 

Syrian American Community Welcomes Implementation of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act as First Step to Accountability and Justice in Syria

WASHINGTON D.C., June 18, 2020 – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury began its implementation of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, designating nine entities and individuals with financial connections to the Assad regime for sanctions under the auspices of the Caesar Law. The U.S. Department of State and Department of the Treasury also took this opportunity to announce targeted sanctions against an additional 30 entities, including Bashar al-Assad and many members of his inner circle, under the authority of existing executive orders. 

Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria Host Virtual Town Hall with Ambassador James Jeffrey and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rayburn 

WASHINGTON D.C., June 12, 2020​ – On Sunday, June 7, the Syrian American Council and Americans for a Free Syria hosted a webinar for the Syrian American community with U.S. ​Special Representative for Syria Engagement and the Special Envoy for the ​Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL, Ambassador James Jeffrey and ​Deputy Assistant Secretary for Levant Affairs ​and U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn. The panel provided the community an opportunity to engage senior officials on U.S. policy in Syria.

Syrian American Council Stands with Black Community

WASHINGTON D.C., June 3, 2020 – The Syrian American Council stands in solidarity with the Black community. We share the outrage over the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, among countless other innocent men, women and children killed by law enforcement and vigilantes, and we join in the call for justice.