Ottawa, January 22, 2013 – On January 8, Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) volunteer Hekmat Mohamad Kerbaj died in hospital, five months after his disappearance. He was found on a sidewalk in Jaramana, in Rural Damascus, on January 5 and taken to hospital, but his condition proved to be fatal.
In total, 34 SARC volunteers and staff have lost their lives since the beginning of the conflict in Syria. All of them were killed or captured while carrying out their humanitarian duties, and they were all clearly displaying the Red Crescent emblem, which should have given them protection under international humanitarian law (IHL).
The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are universally recognized as symbols of neutrality and assistance. Their use is protected by IHL, and they must be respected. Without this respect, saving lives and providing much-needed assistance to millions of Syrians will become close to impossible.
The Canadian Red Cross stands in solidarity with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and joins members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in calling for all parties to the conflict in Syria, and in particular those who have an influence on the ground, to protect volunteers and aid workers, allowing them to work in safety and ensuring that they have unimpeded, immediate access to people in need across the country.
For more information please contact:
Canadian Red Cross media line
(613) 740-1994