Archbishops Carey and Williams: UK sanctions ‘bring suffering and death’ in Syria

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We attach an urgent letter to Boris Johnson, signed by senior diplomats and Christian peers.  

It is a most outspoken letter about “crippling” economic sanctions on Syria, citing concerns from UN experts:  

“Sanctions that were imposed in the name of delivering human rights are in fact killing people and depriving them of fundamental rights, including the rights to health, to food and to life itself.” 

They “should be lifted – or at a minimum eased – so people can get basics like soap and disinfectants to stay healthy, and so that hospitals can get ventilators and other equipment to keep people alive.” 

The letter was sent to Boris Johnson on 17 August.  

Signatories include:  

Baroness Cox 

Lord Alton of Liverpool 

Lord Green of Deddington, British Ambassador to Syria 1991-94 

Peter Ford, British Ambassador to Syria 2003-06 

Lord Dannat, Chief of General Staff of the British Army 2006-09 

Lord West of Spithead, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff 2002-06 

Lord Williams of Oystermouth, Archbishop of Canterbury 2002-2012 

Lord Carey of Clifton, Archbishop of Canterbury 1991-2002 

Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Lord Bishop of Coventry 

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester 1994-2009 

Dr Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter 2000-13 

Dr John Eibner, CEO Christian Solidarity International 

Lords Letter to Boris Johnson on Syria 2020.08.17 by George Conger on Scribd