STATEMENT: Syrian Regime Offensive on Southern De-Escalation Zone
29 June 2018
--
Rethink Rebuild Society (RR) condemns the violation of the de-escalation zone in southern Syria, with the latest military offensive shun by the Syrian regime supported by Russian airstrikes on the province of Dara’a.
On the 28th of June, Rethink Rebuild Society attended a roundtable discussion held by The UK Department for International Development (DFID) with NGOs working on the humanitarian response and on advocacy for Syria. This was the third meeting of its kind with DFID, with the first held back in November 2017.
On the 26th of June, Rethink Rebuild Society joined a number of Syrian civil society organisations in addressing a letter to the UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the President of the Human Rights Council to situate Syrian detainees among those remembered during the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
On Sunday 24th June, Rethink Rebuild Society hosted a free screening of the documentary “Lost in Lebanon”, directed by Georgia and Sophia Scott. We were proud to see our hall full of guests. The documentary was insightful, allowing us all to reflect on the situation many face on the border of Syria.
On Friday the 22nd of June, Rethink Rebuild Society attended a roundtable discussion 'Towards a working definition of Islamophobia' hosted by MP Afzal Khan.
On Monday 18 June 2018, The Home hosted RR's 'Syrian Arts Festival Showcase' as part of the Refugee Week Festival. The event included Syrian music and singing, calligraphy and origami. Lots of people turned up and enjoyed an evening of Syrian culture which is rarely covered in the media.
We are happy to report that our 8th Annual Syrian day, celebrated on Sunday the 17th of June at the Abraham Moss Community School, was a great success! More than 1500 people from all different backgrounds came together to celebrate Eid Alfitr, with delicious Syrian food and traditional music, in addition to the children entertainment and the adult quizzes.
During the blessed month of Ramadan, three community Iftars were organised on Fridays for the community including Syrian refugees and asylum seekers. Every Iftar was attended by around 80 people, food was shared and Taraweh prayers were made together. Warm thanks to our donors, volunteers and attendees for making every iftar a success!
On Friday the 1st of June we hosted a fundraising iftar to support Iqraa School in the Western suburbs of the Aleppo province, Syria. This school is funded by Manchester Community and implemented in collaboration with Syria Relief Charity. The school opened its doors for Syrian children in September 2014 and it accommodated about 500 students in 2015.
Rethink Rebuild Society participated in a roundtable discussion event on June 1st on Humanitarian Disarmament jointly organised by Mines Advisory Group and the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute. The discussion was on implementing a vision of making humanitarian disarmament part of Manchester's identity.