Prague, Dec 12 (CTK) – About 100 people who took part in a demonstration in support of the Syrian town of Aleppo (Halab) in Prague centre on Monday called on world politicians to demand a humanitarian approach to civilians in this town from the regime of Syrian President Bashir Assad.
Members of the Syrian community in Prague are afraid that the regime is suppressing its critics in Aleppo.
Participants in Monday’s demonstration expressed fears that the world community would turn a blind eye to the crimes against humanity in Syria, similar to the situation in the former Yugoslavia and Chechnya.
Journalist Tereza Engelova read the appeal saying politicians should demand that Assad apply a humanitarian approach to civilians in Aleppo as well as other parts of Syria.
People came to the third meeting in support of Aleppo with banners reading “Peace for Aleppo” and candles.
The speakers expressed disappointment at the fact that neither a no-fly zone above the place of conflict nor humanitarian corridors were established there.
The fighting for Aleppo probably culminated on Monday. According to the opposition representatives, rebels retreated from all six key quarters they had controlled. Russia, which supports Assad, announced that the Syrian military controlled 95 percent of the town again.
The fighting between the Syrian military, Islamic State and anti-regime forces have claimed thousands of civilian lives during the chaotic, lengthy war in Syria. The U.N. has reported that Assad’s military and Islamists used chemical weapons.
The world powers are not united on which side of the conflict to support. While Russia sides with Assad, the United States supports the moderate opposition.
A group of Czech MPs left for Syria with humanitarian aid today. They will meet their Syrian counterparts and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.
Deputies of the right-wing opposition protested against this journey and the junior government Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) was opposed to it as well. They say such official meetings will legitimise Assad’s regime.
hol/dr/ms
