Even before the Syrian conflict, the availability of public mental health services in Syria was extremely limited. A lack of funding meant that they were understaffed and underdeveloped. Neither the state nor humanitarian agencies provided enough support for these services. The conflict in Syria inevitably made the situation worse and in January 2013, just two […]
The conflict in Syria has left increasing numbers of women as the breadwinners and heads of their households. In rural areas, female-headed households are even more vulnerable due to the scarcity of employment opportunities, the upcoming bitter winter is set to make conditions even worse. In response to this issue, the UN’s Food and Agricultural […]
President Trump has made the decision to pull out US troops from Syria. The news brings huge uncertainty to the fate of IS troops who are currently held in prisons and camps by the Kurdish-led alliance, and for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who may face dangerous displacement. The Kurdish-led alliance have said it will […]
It doesn’t come as a surprise that 75% of the most vulnerable civilians in Syria are women and children. Much of this vulnerability comes from the extreme poverty they face during the ongoing war. Unfortunately, it leads many parents to believe that the only option for their sons is to send them off to fight […]
In the countries where our partners work, human rights issues, political events and humanitarian crises rarely reach international headlines. We have put together briefings sourcing the latest humanitarian reports and news from the past three months in Sudan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Burma, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh, which we will be releasing this week. Syria The UN […]
This year we received a record number of entries from a diverse range of countries, resulting in our toughest competition yet! We were truly impressed by the quality, creativity, and passion for Human Rights demonstrated by our participants, and toughly enjoyed all the submissions we received. Joshua Shortman won 3rd place in our HART Prize for Human Rights […]
On this day in 2011, war broke out in Syria. The violent suppression of anti-government protests fuelled a multi-front armed conflict that has drawn world powers into the fight for Syria’s liberation and, over the course of eight years, we have continuously witnessed disturbing images of destruction, violence, families torn apart and people risking their lives in search […]
The UN’s World Health Organisation reported that 35 children and newborns have died in the past two months after fleeing Islamic State to al-Hol Camp. Since the 22nd January, 10,000 people have left IS territory and were taken to the camp in Hassakeh Province which now supports 25,000 people. IRIN reports that people entering the camp, which is […]
Local Context Following the withdrawal of armed groups from Maaloula, the town was left with severe structural damage. The damage to private and public buildings – shops, houses, and land – impeded the local population returning to rebuild their livelihoods, with less than half the original population able to move back into their homes. The […]
On Wednesday the 5th December, Baroness Cox (crossbench) responds to Baroness D’Souza’s question asking the UK Government what plans they have to provide resources for reconstruction programmes in Syria. Baroness Cox asks how aid and support for areas under government control will be ensured, stating: “Many thousands of Syrians, of all faiths, wish to return […]
If Vietnam was the first televised war, it could be said that Syria is the first war documented through social media. Notoriously complex, the war in Syria comprises varied opposition to the Assad regime and is further complicated by a phenomenon that allows anyone to be a reporter. Home to diverse ethnic and religious groups, […]
Baroness Cox (crossbench) posed questions to the UK Government about the statement on the resettlement of White Helmets by the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary on 22 July. Question 1: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the statement on the resettlement of White Helmets by the Foreign Secretary and the International Development […]
Baroness Cox (crossbench) posed questions to the UK Government about armed conflict and overseas aid in Syria. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative), Lord Bates (Conservative) and Earl Howe (Conservative) responded. Question 1: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 24 April (HL6880), which armed opposition groups they […]
Baroness Cox (crossbench) posed questions to the UK Government about its response to the killing of a British soldier in Syria and British funding of the Free Syrian Army following the attack. Earl Howe (Con) submitted his written replies. Baroness Cox To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of […]
Statement on Syria, 24th April 2018 Earlier this month, I visited Syria at the invitation of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch. The visit was self-funded and provided an opportunity to meet Christian and Muslim religious leaders, the Speaker of Parliament, MPs from many parts of Syria and opposition MPs, artists, musicians and intellectuals and members […]
On 29th March 2018 Baroness Cox responded in the HoL to Lord Roberts of Llandudno’s motion that the House take note of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Baroness Cox My Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Llandudno, on securing this very important debate, and his very moving opening speech. Violations of human rights by President Assad […]
Baroness Cox (Crossbench) asked HM Government 4 questions regarding Syria and efforts to defeat Daesh (‘Islamic State’), as well as recent reports concerning the treatment of political detainees in Sudan. Answers have come from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative Minister of State). Question 1: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of […]
Baroness Cox asked a supplementary question yesterday in the HoL, suggesting that the British Government must place greater pressure on jihadist-funding countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar to encourage Syrian jihadists to accept the peace treaty offered by the Syrian Government: Baroness Cox My Lords, is the Minister aware that Eastern Ghouta has […]
Baroness Cox (Crossbench) has posed 6 written questions to the UK Government about recent developments in Syria and Nigeria and has received a response from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative Minister of State), and Earl Howe (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords). (This article will be updated as soon as answers have been received […]
Baroness Cox (Crossbench) recently posed two questions to the Government about Syria Overseas Aid, and received written answers from Lord Bates (Conservative Minister of State, Department for International Development) and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative Minister of State) Question 1: 14th December 2017 Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer […]
On 20th December 2017, Baroness Cox and other Peers asked the UK Government about their role in the current situation in Syria, and what they intend to do to rebuild the country after years of ongoing and devastating war. Question Asked by Baroness Cox To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the […]
HART’s CEO Baroness Cox spoke in the House of Lords yesterday as part of a series of oral questions scrutinising the UK government’s actions in Syria. Below is Baroness Cox’s question and other highlights. Watch Baroness Cox’s oral question here. Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord […]
The British Parliament was recalled yesterday for an urgent discussion on the possibility of a military response to developments in Syria. Baroness Cox joined the debate, arguing that a military intervention could unleash even more suffering for the Syrian people. Baroness Cox brought attention to the huge humanitarian needs for those displaced during the conflict […]
Read our latest stories and updates here! Throughout the year, HART has continued to speak out against social injustice, human rights abuses and war crimes in our areas of operation, whilst providing life-saving assistance to our partners on the ground. Your continued support enables our partners in active conflict zones (such as Burma, Sudan, Nigeria […]