Strasbourg, 11/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament called on Thursday 11 June for the international community to do all in its power to protect the civilian population and to preserve the unique cultural heritage of Palmyra.
In the joint resolution adopted on Syria, the situation in Palmyra and the case of Mazen Darwish, put down by five groups, Parliament condemned the seizure of Palmyra on 21 May by the self-styled Islamic State, following a bloody assault lasting nine days. It expressed its deep concern at the situation of Palmyra and the thousands of inhabitants still inside the town as well as that of all those displaced. MEPs call on all parties to bring an immediate halt to hostilities and to allow safe passage to civilians fleeing the violence.
They demand, too, an immediate halt to the destruction of the cultural heritage of Syria and Iraq, pointing out that, given the inestimable value to humanity of this cultural heritage, its destruction should be considered an indefensible war crime.
Parliament also urges the Syrian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against Mazen Darwish, the lawyer and president of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, who has been imprisoned since 2012, and all others detained, convicted and/or sentenced for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and association, as well as all human rights defenders and political rights activists. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)