Geneva 2: Holy See calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria
January 23, 2014: The Holy See has called for an “immediate” ceasefire in Syria,
during the Geneva 2 Conference in Switzerland. The leader of the Holy See’s Delegation,
Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi said the “violence has to stop because too much suffering
has been inflicted on all the people of Syria and on the entire region.” In his intervention
he gave a call for concrete steps to implement the good intentions expressed by all
parties to the current conflict. “In this context, the Holy See renews its urgent
appeal to all the parties concerned for the full and absolute respect for humanitarian
law” he said.
He advocated an immediate cease-fire without preconditions and
that the end to violence of all kinds should become a priority. He called for all
weapons to be laid down and that specific steps should be taken to stop the flow of
arms and arms funding that feed the escalation of violence. He also called for increased
humanitarian assistance and the immediate start of reconstruction. The international
peace talks are looking for a compromise which can end the conflict in Syria.
The
full text of the intervention by Archbishop Tomasi is below
International
Conference on Syria Delegation of the Holy See Statement by H.E. Archbishop
Silvano M. Tomasi Montreux, January 22, 2014 Mr. Secretary General,
1.
Representatives of the Syrian population and of the international community come together
today, at this Geneva II Conference, to take concrete steps towards a peaceful future
for the Syrian people and the Middle East. Confronted with the indescribable suffering
of the Syrian people, a sense of solidarity and common responsibility prompts us to
engage in a dialogue which is based on honesty, mutual trust, and concrete steps.
Dialogue is the only way forward. There is no military solution to the Syrian crisis.
The Holy See is convinced that violence leads nowhere but to death, destruction and
no future.
2. My Delegation is happy to contribute to this critical process,
in itself a sign of a political will that gives priority to negotiations over guns,
to people over inordinate power. For this reason all religious leaders, in particular,
converge on this conviction that violence has to stop because too much suffering has
been inflicted on all the people of Syria and on the entire region. Recent meetings
of religious representatives of different confessions have reconfirmed this constructive
approach that is based on the equal dignity of every person created in the image of
God and open to others.
3. The time has come to take concrete steps to implement
the good intentions expressed by all parties to the current conflict. In this context,
the Holy See renews its urgent appeal to all the parties concerned for the full and
absolute respect for humanitarian law and offers the following proposals:
a.
As invoked by all men and women of good will, an immediate cease-fire without preconditions
and the end to violence of all kinds should become a priority and the urgent goal
of these negotiations. All weapons should be laid down and specific steps should be
taken to stop the flow of arms and arms funding that feed the escalation of violence
and destruction to leave room for the instruments of peace. The money invested in
arms should be redirected to humanitarian assistance. The immediate cessation of violence
is in the interest of all. It is a humanitarian imperative, and represents the first
step to reconciliation.
b. The cessation of hostilities should be accompanied
with increased humanitarian assistance and the immediate start of reconstruction.
Millions have been displaced and are in life threatening situations. Family life has
been disrupted. Educational and health facilities have been destroyed or made inoperative.
c.
The war brought about the economic collapse of many regions of Syria. Reconstruction
efforts should start together with negotiations and should be sustained by the generous
solidarity of the international community. In this process, young people should be
given a preferential consideration so that through their employment and work they
may become protagonists for a peaceful and creative future for their country.
d.
Community rebuilding calls for dialogue and reconciliation sustained by a spiritual
dimension. The Holy See strongly encourages all religious faiths and communities in
Syria to reach a deeper mutual knowledge, a better understanding and a restoration
of trust. e. It is important that regional and international powers favor the ongoing
dialogue and that regional problems be addressed. Peace in Syria could become a catalyst
of peace in other parts of the region, and a model of that peace that is so urgently
needed.
4. Beyond the tragedies of the current crisis, new opportunities and
original solutions for Syria and its neighbors can come about. A just approach would
be to recognize that the existence of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity and
pluralism should not be a negative factor or, worse, an inevitable source of conflict,
but rather the possibility for every community and individual to contribute their
gifts to the common good and the development of a richer and more beautiful society.
There is a role for everyone where citizenship provides equal participation in a democratic
society with equal rights and duties. In this way no one is forced to leave his country
because of intolerance and the inability to accept differences. In fact, the equality
assured by common citizenship can allow the individual to express for himself and
in community with others the fundamental values all persons hold indispensable to
sustain their inner identity. Such an understanding and development of society opens
the way to a durable and fruitful peace.
Mr. Secretary General,
5. Since
the Syrian crisis began, the Holy See has been following its developments with deep
concern and has consistently advocated that all parties involved commit themselves
to the prevention of violence and to the provision of humanitarian assistance to all
victims. The voice of the Holy Father has been raised on numerous occasions to remind
people of the futility of violence, inviting a negotiated resolution of problems,
calling for a just and equitable participation of everyone in the life of society.
Together with an invitation to pray for peace, He has promoted an active response
on the part of Catholic organizations and institutions to the emerging needs. Memorable
remains the Holy Father’s proposal for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for peace in Syria
and the Middle East that was received worldwide with an overwhelmingly positive response.
6.
Allow me to conclude by echoing the words of Pope Francis: “I ask each party in this
conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in
solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers [and sisters]
and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and
so overcome blind conflict.” “It is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture
of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture
of encounter and a culture of dialogue, this is the only way to peace.”
Mr.
Secretary General,
The people of Syria have lived together in peace throughout
history, and can do so again.