Human Rights Watch Calls for exerting more efforts to lift sanctions imposed on Syria

New York, SANA- Human Rights Watch Organization called on European Union to play its role in lifting sanctions imposed on Syria, stressing that these sanctions are hindering the country’s recovery process.

The organization said in a statement that its researchers, during their recent visit to Damascus which is the 1st one since 15 years, observed the huge devastation caused during the years of war.

The statement noted to the economic and social challenges facing Syrians, as 90 % of them living below the poverty line, facing difficulty in obtaining sufficient food or affording it and the conditions outside the capital, Damascus, may be more severe, highlighting the urgent need for international support.

The organization called on Western countries to realize that continuation of international sanctions is hindering Syria’s recovery, indicating that European Union’s recent suspension of sanctions in some sectors is a good step, but more is still needed.

Rafah al-Allouni/ Manar Salameh