Caritas condemns use of chemical weapons, says no to military intervention in Syria

September 02, 2013

The Church’s confederation of relief and development agencies condemned “the alleged use of chemical weapons in Damascus” and lamented the possibility of foreign military intervention.

“The use of chemical weapons is a horrific crime,” Caritas Internationalis said in a statement. “Caritas condemns all attacks against civilians. The combatants have a duty under international law to protect civilian lives. Caritas says the international community has an obligation to find an end to the suffering of the Syrian people, and that can only be achieved through broad dialogue.”

“Scaling up military intervention by foreign powers will simply widen the war and increase the suffering,” Caritas Secretary General Michel Roy added. “The last decade bears witness to the tragic consequences of military intervention in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. Caritas believes that the only humanitarian solution is a negotiated one.”

 

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Further information:

• Peace talks only option to Syria crisis (Caritas Internationalis)