Latest news with #RojavaAsayish
Rudaw Net
26-03-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Syrian health ministry issues urgent appeal for cancer medication
Also in Syria Rojava officials, Armenian delegation discuss Syria challenges Syria's interim constitution risks 'authoritarian' rule: HRW Germany decries Syrian civilian deaths in suspected Israeli shelling Rojava Asayish captures over 2.7 million Captagon in Qamishli A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian health ministry on Wednesday rang the alarm about the critical shortage of cancer medications in the country, warning that the current stockpile will only last for 15 more days, which could lead to a humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of patients. In a press conference attended by Rudaw in Damascus, the head of the National Advisory Committee for Blood and Oncology, Jamil al-Dabl, stated that the Syrian health ministry 'only has 20 percent of the needed medications for cancer patients,' which could 'lead to a serious crisis threatening the lives of both children and adults." Dabl urged the international community and organizations to provide Syria with urgent medical relief, warning that the disruption of the ongoing cancer treatments 'could lead to the death of thousands of patients and increase the psychological and financial suffering of their families.' For his part, the head of the Cancer Authority in the Ministry of Health, Karam Jaji explained on Wednesday that Syria records 17,000 new cancer cases annually, including about 1,500 cases among children. He emphasized that the country has 19 cancer treatment centers, all of which are in urgent need of essential medications. Sanctions, particularly the Caesar Act, which targets the Syrian government, have severely impacted the healthcare system. Restrictions on items like nitrous oxide and helium - vital for anesthesia and MRI machines - have disrupted basic medical care. Cancer treatment drugs are also in short supply. Despite some international efforts to ease sanctions and facilitate Syria's recovery, the country remains in a dire economic and healthcare crisis. Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that as of December 2024, only 57 percent of Syria's hospitals and 37 percent of primary healthcare centers are fully functional, while 90 percent of the population are living below the poverty line.
Rudaw Net
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava officials, Armenian delegation discuss Syria challenges
Also in Syria Syria's interim constitution risks 'authoritarian' rule: HRW Germany decries Syrian civilian deaths in suspected Israeli shelling Rojava Asayish captures over 2.7 million Captagon in Qamishli Qatar, Saudi Arabia condemn Israeli shelling in southern Syria A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Armenian Social Council and the Armenian Women's Union in the northeastern Syria (Rojava) met with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) on Wednesday to extend their congratulations for the Kurdish New Year (Newroz) and discuss the challenges facing Syria and the region. The Rojava-based groups congratulated the DAANES's executive council on the occasion of the Kurdish New Year, celebrated worldwide by Kurdish communities between March 21 and 23, and International Women's Day marked on March 8. The Armenian delegations were received by Evin Swed, the co-chair of DAANES's executive council and her deputies Tarfah Osman and Hamdan al-Abed. They discussed 'the challenges facing Syria and the region, particularly the recent crimes committed in the coastal areas of Syria against members of the Alawite sect,' according to a statement by the DAANES. Armed confrontations erupted in the Alawite-majority coastal areas of western Syria in early March, when loyalists of ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad launched attacks on security forces affiliated with the new leadership in Damascus. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around 1,500 people - mostly Alawite civilians – were killed in the violence, with most of the casualties resulting from attacks by government or government-affiliated forces. The killings drew widespread international condemnation. The Armenian delegations and DAANES emphasized on Wednesday 'the necessity of holding the perpetrators' behind the human rights violations against the Alawites 'accountable and protecting the rights of all sects and religions' in Syria, added the statement. The two sides also touched on the newly-passed constitutional declaration, affirming that 'it does not fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people or the true identity of Syria, particularly the hopes and ambitions of women.' They urged redrafting the interim constitution 'with the participation of all segments of the Syrian society, including women, to achieve justice and ensure the rights of all.' In mid-March, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a 53-article constitutional declaration that centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates that the president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It also maintains Syria's official name as the Syrian "Arab" Republic. The interim constitution additionally grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, the authority to appoint one-third of the legislature, and the ability to appoint judges to the constitutional court, which is the body that can hold him accountable. The constitutional declaration has in recent weeks come under fire from Syria's Kurdish, Christian and Druze communities over its exclusion of ethnic and religious communities in Syria. Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday warned that the constitutional declaration consolidates power in the hands of the president and risks entrenching 'authoritarian control.' The global human rights monitor urged the new leadership in Damascus to revise the declaration to better safeguard human rights. The Armenian delegation and DAANES on Wednesday urged amending the interim constitution to ensure inclusivity, 'without excluding or marginalizing any group.' They further stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue among Syrians 'to resolve all outstanding issues,' involving all components of the Syrian people, especially women.
Rudaw Net
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Syria's interim constitution risks ‘authoritarian' rule: HRW
Also in Syria Germany decries Syrian civilian deaths in suspected Israeli shelling Rojava Asayish captures over 2.7 million Captagon in Qamishli Qatar, Saudi Arabia condemn Israeli shelling in southern Syria Syria calls for international probe into deadly Israeli attacks: FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday warned that Syria's newly-approved constitutional declaration consolidates power in the hands of the president and risks entrenching 'authoritarian control.' The global human rights monitor urged the new leadership in Damascus to revise the declaration to better safeguard human rights. HRW's Deputy Middle East director, Adam Coogle, stated that 'the design of Syria's new declaration risks entrenching authoritarian control, rather than facilitating a genuine transition to a rights-respecting democracy.' He added that transitional frameworks can warrant extraordinary measures but 'must not come at the expense of fundamental rights.' In mid-March, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a 53-article constitutional declaration that centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates that the president must be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period. It also maintains Syria's official name as the Syrian "Arab" Republic. The interim constitution grants Sharaa exclusive executive power, including the sole authority to appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers. HRW censured the allocation of such 'significant authority' to the president, warning that 'without stronger safeguards and independent oversight, this declaration risks consolidating executive control at the expense of fundamental freedoms.' The interim constitution also gives Sharaa the power to appoint one-third of the legislature, while the other two-thirds would be selected by a committee, whose members are appointed by Sharaa. Parliament would also have no authority to impeach the president, or approve or remove ministers. HRW criticized the interim president's 'near-total control over legislative appointments.' It highlighted that the interim constitution further grants him 'authority to appoint all seven members of the Higher Constitutional Court without parliamentary or other oversight.' This court is the only body that can hold him accountable. HRW warned that this could jeopardize judicial independence and 'likely strengthen the president's influence over constitutional interpretation, excluding parliamentary input.' Of note, the constitutional declaration has in recent weeks come under fire from Syria's Kurdish, Christian and Druze communities over its exclusion of ethnic and religious communities in Syria. HRW's deputy Middle East director, Coogle, on Tuesday urged the Syrian authorities to revise the interim constitution 'to incorporate strong protections for judicial independence and legislative oversight,' to 'ensure that Syria's transition respects human rights, holds those responsible for past abuses accountable, and fosters a future of greater accountability.'
