Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Jean-Clément Jeanbart says Western sanctions against the Syrian government have plunged the country’s people into abject poverty but have left the Assad regime unaffected.
Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart of Aleppo condemned the sanctions as counter-productive.
He said: “The sanctions have no result other than making people suffer and become poor and miserable. They will have no effect on the government and their policies, because the government is away from the effects of the sanctions.
“The government is tranquil where it is…The sanctions could have the contrary effect to what was expected.”
Calling for an end to the sanctions, Archbishop Jeanbart said: “I would like to see the sanctions lifted because they are harming our people and abusing our country.
“They are miserable. They are taking from families what they need to live with dignity.”
He added: “People no longer have enough food, fuel, gas to heat their homes, and electricity.
“Always, this has been a very hard time for the Syrian people facing these sanctions. The Syrian currency no longer has any value and they cannot eat.”
The prelate went on: “The people have no possibility to have loans. They have really lost everything and this is pitiful.”
The archbishop called on NGOs to help Christians and others stay in the country rather than encouraging them to leave and enabling them to do so. Read more …