Polish MPs highlight plight of Syrian Christians

28/9/13

Members of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Polish Parliament have unanimously approved a draft resolution expressing solidarity with the Christian communities in Syria and Egypt.

In the document, MPs call on the government and Polish diplomatic services to lobby at the forum of the European Union and elsewhere for the defence of Christians.

Deputy foreign minister Artur Nowar-Far recalled during the meeting of the commission that Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski discussed the urgent need to protect Christians in his talks with many foreign politicians, including, most recently, with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Artur Nowar-Far welcomed the parliamentary initiative, saying that its importance cannot be overestimated.

“Now is the time for the Polish Parliament to  make its voice heard on this serious matter,” he said.

The draft resolution speaks of solidarity with the Christian communities which are the victims of murders and persecution all over the world, particularly in Syria and Egypt, the countries which are engulfed by wars and social disturbances.

In the document, Polish MPs appeal to the international community to  undertake bold actions in the defence of Christians against extermination.

“The contemporary world cannot stand idly by when people are being killed solely because they want to remain faithful to their religious beliefs,” the draft resolution says.

Christians make up about nine percent of the Syrian population, including a large community of Syrians of Armenian heritage.

Since clashes broke out in Syria in the spring of 2011, Islamic extremist elements within the rebel forces have been widely blamed for attacks on Christians.

It has been estimated that 15 -25 percent of the rebel forces are tied to groups of Islamic extremists. A large proportion of these fighters, including many of those serving in the Al-Nusra front hail from foreign countries including Saudi Arabia and Libya. (mk/nh)

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