Press Release

London Syria Donor Conference: Imposing a political plan for Syria

At today’s Syria’s Donor Conference in London, Western powers and Kuwait– some of who are busy bombing Syria – have come together for a conference aimed at raising $9bn for Syrian refugees.

David Cameron, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Norway and Kuwait have jointly convened the conference.

Commenting on today’s conference, Taji Mustafa, Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in Britain said: “External powers (US, Russia, UK, France) – who divided the region, and have a bloody history of colonialism and who openly support dictators and despots in the region are now some of those professing concern for the Syrian people just as they continue to light the fires that are burning Syria.”

“No humanitarian conferences whether held in Kuwait or London can resolve the fundamental problem in Syria today. The specific figure of $9 billion that is said to be needed by the Syrians can be funded by the Muslim world in a heartbeat. The Muslim rulers have a duty to address the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people whether it is in Syria itself, or in the camps in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, however this will not solve the main problem which is their slaughter and displacement by Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.”

“The main problem is the war itself which is killing the people at an alarming rate and making them homeless and the regime is now starving the people on top of its other atrocities. There is a solution to this that would be possible but there is no political will among the region’s rulers. Regional states, especially Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia have the power to intervene and defeat Assad, and stop Western interference. Rather, they have not done so and continue to fulfill the objectives of foreign powers in the region – whilst some even aid Assad. Were any Western country to have a humanitarian crisis on their border threatening to bring millions of refugees in to their country, they would intervene purely on self-interest. But the regional Muslim players have not done so, even though they could have. Until these countries are based on Islam, with a sincere leadership that acts on the basis of Islam for the people, rather than acting according to what the US and its allies want, they will continue to neglect their duties.”

“The Western governments, who claim to be helping the Syrian people, are in fact making things worse through their bombing and foreign policy. They were the ones who sponsored coup and counter coup, who supported Assad and who today want a political settlement that entrenches their ideological and political hegemony. Aid is important but must come without strings, help is important but must come without strings, helping the Syrian people is a must but western help always comes with strings to assist in their chosen political settlement.”

“Whilst Assad and ISIS continue to cause death and destruction in the region, for foreign powers, the end game is the political settlement that is being discussed in various capitals. Kerry has talked about it. Cameron talks about it and Putin has talked about it. It is being decided in Geneva, London and Washington. There are two models. The Western model; a secular client state in Syria, bringing in new faces with just as much Islam as pacifies the people. Or an Islamic model; a Caliphate on the Prophetic model – consistent with the beliefs and history of the people and providing enlightened solutions on sectarianism, minority rights and ensuring economic gains reach the many not the few.”

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Britain