Starving for Access in Syria’s Yarmouk Camp

In this report, which OHCHR reaffirmed to IPS as still applicable on Jan. 28, Pillay described the situation as “desperate” and indicated that government forces and affiliated militias appear to be imposing “collective punishment on the civilians in Yarmouk”, adding that such actions which impede “humanitarian assistance to civilians in desperate need may amount to a war crime”, and is certainly against international law. “Aid access is a priority, but what is needed at this stage is not simply negotiating for weeks to get a few parcels in, what is needed is a paradigm shift … that this is not something you negotiate on, this is a right under international law, Nadim Houry, Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) deputy director for its Middle East and North Africa division, told IPS. “What is needed right now is to establish modalities for repeated and efficient humanitarian aid.” Looking forward, talks between the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition have the potential to open Yarmouk to more comprehensive incoming aid and the exit of civilians. Though a deal has not been reached at the Geneva II talks, both sides have discussed relief for besieged areas, notably the Old City of Homs. The head international mediator for the U.N., Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, has optimistically called these discussions a positive step forward, necessary for further agreement. “We want the Geneva II talks to make the issue a priority and to demand that the reg...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Arabs Rise for Rights Armed Conflicts Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Middle East & North Africa Migration & Refugees TerraViva United Nations Palestinian Starvation Syria UNRWA Yarmouk Source Type: news