Patriot Voices, an organization founded by former Senator Rick Santorum and run by Nadine Maenza, as Executive Director (also a USCIRF Commissioner) has a place where anyone can read more about the battle to save religious freedom in NE Syria and can press a button to sign a petition and let their Congressman and Senators know that they want Turkey’s actions in NE Syria stopped: http://www.patriotvoices.com/save_ne_syria
I am taking the lead on a letter from the IRF Roundtable asking President Trump to reimpose sanctions on Turkey under Executive Order 13994, which came out soon after Turkey’s invasion of NE Syria last year. You or your organization signed the letter we sent last year asking for Presidential action against Turkey. This may have played a role in the imposition of sanctions.
I am very happy to report that yesterday, the anniversary of the 2019 invasion, the President issued an order extending EO 13994 for another year. To me, this means that he is likely open to reimposing sanctions as we are now requesting. His announcement stated: "The situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, endangers civilians, and further threatens to undermine the peace, security, and stability in the region, and continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
Can you please consider joining the 29 organizations and individuals that have already signed this letter? Last year we had 85 signatures and the situation is actually worse now than it was then for Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, and other minorities living in the Turkish occupation zone and for those outside of it. You can sign as an individual with title and organization for information purposes only or as an organization. Send notice of your willingness to sign in an email to advocacy@lawandlibertytrust.org.
The deadline is next Wednesday, October 14, 2020, and you can review the letter here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ImPlEtoVHLef-n2lS-wEjmX0CcGZizhzTUS8mYctNfI/edit?usp=sharing
As background, the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria (AANES) is the only place in the Middle East where all religious groups have equal rights and can convert to another faith without loss of legal rights. AANES is a US ally and part of the Global Coalition Against Daesh since 2016. Tragically, the US stood by while Turkey invaded the AANES region of Afrin in 2018 and again whenTurkey invaded a strip of land from Ras Al Ain to Tel Abyad in 2019. The President immediately imposed sanctions on Turkey in October 2019 (EO 13894) but lifted the sanctions after Turkey signed an agreement with the US promising to ensure the safety and well being of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Turkey has completely disregarded these promises. Recent reports by the UN, local advocacy groups, and the US Inspector General of Operation Inherent Resolve confirm Turkey has committed innumerable war crimes in both Afrin and the territory invaded in 2019. Turkey is using its control of water sources in ANNES as a weapon of war by withholding water from half a million people living in places still free from Turkish occupation. People are dying daily of thirst, hunger, and drinking contaminated water.
This letter asks the President to reimpose sanctions on Turkey and responsible individuals and organizations under EO 13894. It also asks that the President exempt AANES from Syria-wide sanctions and ensure that the Syrian Democratic Council have a seat at the table in Syrian peace talks. The Roundtable sent letters concerning this situation to President Trump in October 2019 and January 2019.
Please help support this effort and sign on to this letter today. Also, please share this with colleagues who may wish to join this campaign.Kindest regards,LaurenLAUREN B. HOMERATTORNEY AT LAWHOMER INTERNATIONAL LAWLAW AND LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL11160-C1 South Lakes DriveSuite 245Reston, VA 20191
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