Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 8 June, the European Commission adopted a special measure amounting to €23 million “to enable a rapid, simple response to the most pressing needs of the Syrian population and Syrian refugees”. The initiatives of the special measure may include the delivery of basic and specialised education and health services, support to livelihoods, capacity building (such as training of NGOs and activists), support to the media, cultural activities and civil society. This measure will complement the €10 million funding of humanitarian projects already undertaken by the European Commission in Syria and in the countries hosting Syrian refugees.
On Thursday, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton “strongly” condemned the “brutal violence and killing of dozens of civilians” in Hama province the previous day. “It is totally unacceptable and unforgivable that any party to the Syrian conflict, either government or opposition forces, continues to commit these heinous acts of violence against innocent Syrian citizens”, she added, condemning all efforts to obstruct the Annan peace plan. She also called for “a full investigation of the horrendous crimes” and stated that “those guilty of these atrocities must be brought rapidly to justice”. Ashton also called on the international community to “unite behind a political process leading to a democratic transition”, stating that “the UN Security Council must continue to support Kofi Annan and use all its influence to stop the violence”.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke on Thursday of the “imminent and real” threat of civil war and said that terrorists were taking advantage of the situation. He described the Hama massacre as “unspeakable barbarity”. (CG/transl.rt)