[Morgsie]

Following calls made by the Czech Republic and Portugal for an Emergency discussion on the worsening situation in Syria. The Secretariat has created this thread to find a European view on the issue and the discussion of the possible extensions of EU Sanctions.

[stanlas]

The Czech Republic would like to make its stance clear. We believe that the EU should seek to implement further sanctions and apply more pressure on the Syrian regime. We also believe that military action may prove unavoidable, and we would support either an EU or a UN chapter 7 intervention, provided that the aftermath of the invasion is also considered in advance.

[jsb123]

The Holy See urges member states of the EU to agree implement further sanctions, and increase pressure, on Syria, but must insist that a thorough assessment is taken before there is any military action.

[toronto353]

The MHoC believes that we must increase the pressure upon the Assad regime. For the moment, the MHoC does not believe in military intervention at all. This is not an option that we have ruled out, but at the present time the MHoC will not be supporting any kind of military intervention. We believe that Syria's assets should be frozen. We also believe that every effort should be taken to support the opposition through offering them strategic help such as how to coalesce into a proper opposition force. We do not believe in arming either side as this will make the bloodshed worse than it already it. Given that there is talk of military intervention, I shall report back to the Government with a view to potentially drawing up contingency plans for the eventuality of military intervention, though we have begin looking at this option. The MHoC does favour increasing the number of (M)UN observers in Syria and we ask other states if this is an option that they would be willing to back.

We welcome the Czech Republic representative for raising this issue in the Bloc and the MHoC will update the MUN on any change in the position of the Government's viewpoint.

[stanlas]

The Czech Republic welcomes both comments, and notes the hesitation on military intervention. The Czech Republic would like to clarify that it is not in fact considering an invasion (as was wrongly posted in the original statement) but a military intervention to establish a 'safe-zone' in the North of the country for civilians and freedom fighters.

[toronto353]

(Original post by stanlas)
The Czech Republic welcomes both comments, and notes the hesitation on military intervention. The Czech Republic would like to clarify that it is not in fact considering an invasion (as was wrongly posted in the original statement) but a military intervention to establish a 'safe-zone' in the North of the country for civilians and freedom fighters.

The MHoC would not currently support that. However, I am willing to raise this matter within Government and give a formal reply shortly. The MHoC would like the Czech Republic to expand on its idea with how that would be achieved.

[stanlas]

(Original post by toronto353)
The MHoC would not currently support that. However, I am willing to raise this matter within Government and give a formal reply shortly. The MHoC would like the Czech Republic to expand on its idea with how that would be achieved.

OOC: I read about that in the economist, which seems to favour the idea. From what I understood it would esentially be declaring a 'neutral' zone in the north of the country to give civilians refugees a place to stay and time for rebels to re-group.

[PierceBrosnan]

Switzerland recommends a lot more sanctions against the regime and to take a further stand by recognising the SNC as the sole legitimate government of Syria instead of the Assad Regime as we have already done.

[toronto353]

(Original post by stanlas)
OOC: I read about that in the economist, which seems to favour the idea. From what I understood it would esentially be declaring a 'neutral' zone in the north of the country to give civilians refugees a place to stay and time for rebels to re-group.

The MHoC would like to inform the EU that we are taking a non-interventionalist stance. We will pursue sanctions, but no military action.

[Morgsie]

OOC: I am in favour of more sanctions but if the violence carries on then we should consider Chapter 7.

If there is a consensus on the issue then I can issue an Official Statement.

[rockrunride]

The United Kingdom is following a line of states that have today expelled all Syrian diplomatic representation following the Houla massacre.

[stanlas]

(Original post by PierceBrosnan)
Switzerland recommends a lot more sanctions against the regime and to take a further stand by recognising the SNC as the sole legitimate government of Syria instead of the Assad Regime as we have already done.

The Czech Republic approves of Switzerland's stance and urges other nations to take a similar one.

(Original post by rockrunride)
The United Kingdom is following a line of states that have today expelled all Syrian diplomatic representation following the Houla massacre.

The Czech Republic welcomes the UK's actions against Syria, and asks other EU nations to also consider expelling Syrian diplomats in response to the massacre.

(Original post by toronto353)
The MHoC would like to inform the EU that we are taking a non-interventionalist stance. We will pursue sanctions, but no military action.

The Czech Republic welcomes the MHoC's stance and agrees that military intervention should not be our priority at the moment. However, we still believe that it should be considered as a future possibility if the crisis escalates further

[toronto353]

(Original post by stanlas)
The Czech Republic welcomes the MHoC's stance and agrees that military intervention should not be our priority at the moment. However, we still believe that it should still be considered as a future possibility is the crisis escalates further

The MHoC will not be considering military action. We have ruled that course of action off the table.

[andrewmc96]

Poland is becoming very concerned at the worsening situation in Syria, and feels further pressure and sanctions should be placed on Assad's regime. Poland is disappointed that Russia and China continue to effectively support the outrageous, heinous crimes commited by Assad's regime by stating they will veto any further UN sanctions. Poland remains hesitant about military intervention, particularly by NATO forces, and feels any intervening forces should be comprised of mainly regional powers. Poland would like to make it very clear that it will not support any intervention unless it is given MUN backing.

[toronto353]

(Original post by andrewmc96)
Poland is becoming very concerned at the worsening situation in Syria, and feels further pressure and sanctions should be placed on Assad's regime. Poland is disappointed that Russia and China continue to effectively support the outrageous, heinous crimes commited by Assad's regime by stating they will veto any further UN sanctions. Poland remains hesitant about military intervention, particularly by NATO forces, and feels any intervening forces should be comprised of mainly regional powers. Poland would like to make it very clear that it will not support any intervention unless it is given MUN backing.

The MHoC agrees. We call on all member states to consider what further sanctions could be placed on the Assad regime.

(Original post by Morgsie)
QFA

Would the Secretariat be able to list current sanctions against Syria and what further action could be taken by the EU Bloc short of military intervention?

[Morgsie]

RL Sanctions

[Morgsie]

Page 51 of the Document contains a list of the Sanctions

[toronto353]

(Original post by Morgsie)
RL Sanctions

I thank the Secretariat for this information. With this in mind, the MHoC suggests that the EU suspend all aid programmes where money is going to the Government directly. We suggest that the EU send the money which would have gone to the Government or Syria to international organisations such as Medicins sans Frontiers (OOC: Hope that I have spelled that correctly) and the International Red Cross. The MHoC also suggests the suspension of any and all contracts between companies operating in the EU and Syria. We may modify this to countries in the EU instead of operating in.

[knoxuk]

Greece has been monitoring the situation for some time and is becoming increasingly concerned at the worsening situation in Syria and feels greater pressure must be placed on Assad's regime in the form of further sanctions. Greece is greatly disheartened at the stance that Russia and China continue to hold on the crimes commited by Assad's regime. However, Greece remains reluctant to pursue a path of military intervention at this time, nevertheless Greece calls for immediate action against the horrific actions of President Assad.

[Moleman1996]

Just to add you can find details of sanctions currently imposed by the TSR Arab League within our thread