Egemen Bağış The bloody dictatorship in Damascus must be stopped!

In his article published in the British Financial Times (FT), Former Minister for European Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış urged the international community on the Syrian crisis.

“Sir, enough is enough!Turkey needs help with Syrian refugees. Turkey currently hosts over 2.7 million refugees and the pressure is immense. The situation is desperate. The civil war has proved thus far that President Assad of Syria and his cruel regime is responsible for the death and destruction of families, homes, schools, hospitals, ancient monuments, the list goes on. The relentless bombing and destruction has caused a massive fear in the hearts of many Syrians. As many as a million more refugees may come over the next few days if the current offensive does not stop. Over 10,000 refugees have been able to cross the border into Turkey already.Over 40,000 are being housed in camps on the Syrian side of the border.”

The international community must focus on the root of this tragedy

“Humanitarian aid, much of it from Turkey, is already providing food,shelter, blankets and medical supplies. However, Turkey cannot and should not act alone. The international community must also spare no effort to assist the refugees. The EU must also act fast. There is a real threat of the tide flooding the Turkish borders, it is imminent. There is a moral and legal duty for all nations to unite, to provide protection, aid, dignity and above all, survival, for the displaced refugees. Finding a temporary safe haven is only the first step and probably a band aid solution. The international community, led by the United Nations, must focus on the root of this tragedy and put an end to the bloody dictatorship in Damascus. Just like all other nations, people of Syria deserve democracy, human rights and the pursuit of happiness now, not later.”