Al-Mikdad: The United States is the biggest violator of human rights

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Al-Miqdad has declared that the United States is the biggest violator of human rights and the Turkish occupation of Syrian lands is more dangerous than the US occupation. 

 

The minister’s remarks came during a discussion panel held on Monday at the headquarters of the “Al-Wehdeh” Establishment for Printing and Publishing in Damascus. 

 

“The US-led coalition, purportedly to fight ISIS terrorist organization in Syria, has destroyed the Syrian city of Raqqa and this city has become a witness to the US barbarism,” Al-Miqdad said, asserting that the U.S. is the biggest violator and abuser of human rights.

 

He in addition stressed that the Turkish occupation of Syrian lands is more dangerous than the US occupation as there has been no retreat for the Turkish occupation troops from Syria. 

 

“The Turkish regime supports all terrorist groups,” he added, indicating that 80-85 % of the Syrian territories are under the control of the Syrian state. 

 

Al-Miqdad underlined that the northeastern side of Syria is part and parcel of Syria, and the way of the government’s dealing with all Syrian provinces must be the same and equal.

 

The declared and undeclared intentions of some separatist groups in the north-east of Syria are malicious and unacceptable.

 

“Two years ago, we were about to wage a war to restore Idlib but we were advised that we can reach this goal through dialogue and diplomacy,” the minister said, pointing out that the goal of Astana talks is to assert the unity of the Syrian territories. 

 

“The Turkish side must fulfil its obligations….All options are on the table,” Al-Miqdad added.  

 

He reiterated that the West does not want a partner in shaping the new world; however, Russia has reached a strategic position that copes with the development in Europe and the U.S.

 

“We attract some European activities but the main obstacle is that there is no democracy in the EU , which hinders any attempt by any European country to establish good relations with Syria,” Al-Miqdad stated.

 

He made it clear that the recent events took place in Kazakhstan were not  due to the increase of fuel prices. “It was pre-planned by western countries that want to impose their dictates on other countries.” 

 

The minister thanked Russia, Iran and China for supporting Syria, affirming the continuity of strategic relations with Syria’s allies.

 

As for the constitutional committee, Al-Miqdad said: “ It is true that the Syrian government has facilitated the formation of the constitutional committee and it follows up its work, but this committee defines the mechanism of its work and there are consultations between  3 parties of the committee … Here, we have to highlight that the so-called “opposition party” in the committee was nominated by Turkey. So it is called Turkey’s delegation. Moreover 50% of the civil society party is composed by the Syrian government while the other 50% was appointed by Turkey.” 

 

The obstacle that faces the talks of consultation committee is that some proposed points are against the interests of the Syrian people and touch on Syria’s sovereignty and independence. 

 

Syria will never abandon its firm principles, the minister affirmed, indicating that the success of the work of this committee is associated with the non-interference of foreign parties.

 

He referred to the fact that the west has no true intention to make the talks a success.  

 

Regarding Syria’s relations with the Arab countries, the minister clarified that Syria works on improving these relations to be as it was before the start of the war . ” Now, the doors of 14 Arab embassies are open.” 

 

He affirmed that Syria is part and parcel of the joint Arab action and it rejects  dictates for its return to the Arab League. 

 

Syriatimes posed the following question to the minister”Are relations with Europe on the road to improvement ?”

 

The minister answered”Many European countries are on our side and in closed rooms they tell us this-however due to EU pressure officially they are forced to hold their silence .”

 

Reem Haddad / Editor-in-Chief

 

Basma Qaddour & Hamda Mustafa