SNC Declares Homs "A Humanitarian Disaster"

Syrian National Council
An urgent statement on the declaration of Homs a disaster-stricken city - Disaster area

For the 5th consecutive day, the Syrian regime imposed a brutal siege on the brave city of Homs, aiming to break the will of its residents, and to brutalize its steadfast people who have dared to reject the regime's authority and mandate, and insisted on demanding their legitimate rights for freedom and dignity.

The regime’s militia, its forces, and its security apparatus, are using Shabiha (regime-sponsored gangs) to impose a tightened siege on the city of Homs, a siege that began to tighten more and more since the regime found itself forced to recognize the initiative of the League of Arab States. The siege has prevented medical supplies and food from getting in to more than 2,000,000 people. It also led to preventing families, women and children from leaving and moving to safe areas, while the regime uses heavy artillery, rocket launchers, and warplanes to bomb populated residential neighborhoods, and forbids the media and representatives of international organizations from seeing what is going on and from reporting the facts to the public.
In the light of information confirming that the regime launched a large-scale attack on Sunday night / Monday (6-7th Nov) on the neighborhoods of Homs from several directions, that indiscriminate slaughter is being committed by the regime’s militias, and the spread of dead bodies which people are unable to bury or access a hospital; because of shelling and firing operations carried out by snipers, the Syrian National Council announces for the public knowledge of the Arab and wider World:

"Homs City is a humanitarian disaster area"

We call urgently on both the United Nations and its humanitarian organizations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States and all international bodies concerned with human rights, asking the following:
1. Condemnation of the Syrian regime's attack on the city of Homs, in the strongest terms and urging the Syrian regime to cease fire immediately.
2. Declaration of the city of Homs a humanitarian disaster area, and the application of international legislation for the provision of medical assistance, aid and relief, and the movement of organizations at the international level to stop the massacre committed by the regime.
3. Providing the needed international protection for civilians, providing evacuation, away from areas that are under shelling and destruction, and helping them find a safe haven.
4. Sending Arab and international observers, instantly, to the city of Homs to oversee the situation on the ground, and prevent the regime from continuing to commit brutal massacres.
5. Documenting the crimes committed by the regime and submitting them to the International Criminal Court in preparation for the trial of those responsible.

The Syrian National Council, as it expresses its utmost condemnation of the regimes bloody practices in Homs and in the rest of Syria's cities, it confirms that the determination of our people to conquer tyranny will not relent, and that Syrians will continue their protesters of facing the murderers’ regime till they achieve victory and take possession of their uncompromised freedom and dignity.

Syrian National Council
Executive Office

Message from SNC President Dr. Burhan Ghalioun to the Syrian People, November 5th, 2011

Below is the transcript from the November 5th Address by SNC President Dr. Burhan Ghalioun to the Syrian People:


The Address of SNC Presidnet; Dr. Burhan Ghalioun to The Syrian Nation

Saturday, 5 November 2011

The great people of Syria,

I address you today on the eve of eid al-Adha, as our country reels from the violent actions of an unjust regime which has transformed our country over the decades into a kingdom where power is inherited, where rights are deprived and where dignity and freedom are beyond reach of its people.
We became accustomed to this predicament until we could tolerate it no longer. In your revolt for freedom, you sacrificed your most precious assets until every home in Syria has experienced the loss a father, the rape of a daughter and the arrest and disappearance of a young man or child. And as the pillars of tyranny shook, your courage, determination and capacity to sacrifice has captured the world's admiration. You are not in this ordeal alone, your sacrifices have been noted by Syrians everywhere and your efforts have highlighted the trove of talents and creative abilities of all Syrians.

The great people of Syria,

From this day onward, Syria is home to freedom and dignity, free of all discrimination, injustice and exclusion. Syria is one nation for a united Syrian people with no reference to majorities and minorities, religion, sect or regional affiliation. It is a country where the principles of citizenship and equality reign and where people are judged on the basis of their capacities to give and sacrifice for the sake of their country. Syria's new constitution will protect minorities and their rights, including the Kurds, who have suffered discrimination. Syria will have a new judicial, legislative and executive system which will be held accountable by the people. The power of government will be limited and the people will choose who governs them through the ballot box. Syrians will enjoy the rule of law, where everyone is equal before an independent judiciary, and all Syrians have equal rights to form organizations, political parties, associations and participation in decision-making.

The great people of Syria,

With each passing day, and with every drop of blood shed, we are one step closer to freedom. The days of tyranny are numbered and the demise of the current regime is inevitable. History has taught us that regimes based on corruption, oppression and slavery are bound to fail: all unjust rulers who detain its youth, steal the wealth of the country and kill its people inevitably come to an end.

The great people of Syria,

The Syrian National Council is fighting a political battle with you, and on your behalf, at home and abroad. It is your Council, your voice heard by the world to defend your cause. Its members are your comrades in the battle for freedom. We are honored by you all, and heartened by your support of the National Council. We promise not to waste any effort or time to overthrow the tyrannical regime. Will not negotiate on the blood of the victims and martyrs nor will we compromise on the pained groans of detainees. We will not be deceived. The National Council will not allow the regime to bide for time. We are aware of the responsibility and trust you have placed on us. But the challenges that we face are great. We are working towards building a solid council with strong foundations to be able to manage the affairs of the country during the transition. This mission cannot happen overnight and we have made rapid progress. We have submitted a formal request to the Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the United Nations to protect civilians in Syria and send international observers. The Council is exploring other options as well.

The great people of Syria,

On this holy day, we salute our soldiers who are refusing to carry out orders. They are risking their lives and those of their families to defend the people and protect them in their peaceful revolt. Syrians will not forget what these soldiers have done for them by showing their support and commitment to their real duty of protecting them. We call upon the rest of the Syrian army to follow example to protect the homeland and citizens.

The great people of Syria,

Syrians will not forget all those nations and organizations which have helped and supported them to gaining liberty. We will continue to mobilize local, regional and international support for our just cause. The regime is still intent on drawing the country into chaos and civil war, but we will resist by uniting until we are victorious.

The great people of Syria,

The future begins today. We are working towards building a new Syria where freedom replaces oppression, dignity wins over discrimination, love takes over hatred and progress triumphs. All of us together today have a duty to create such a Syria and restore it back to life.

May God have mercy on the fallen heroes. May the wounded and injured be healed and may the young detainees soon be released.

Long live free Syria and the great people of Syria and great Eid to all.