Cardinal Schönborn demands that sanctions against Syria finally pick up!

Cardinal Schönborn demands that sanctions against Syria finally pick up!

Wien, Österreich - Cardinal Christoph Schönborn has again called for an abolition of international sanctions against Syria. In a press conference on December 17, 2024 in Vienna, he expressed a lack of understanding that these measures would continue to exist and that it would mainly burden the civilian population. "I was in Syria myself and I am very informed about the location on site," emphasized Schönborn and pointed out that humanitarian emergency aid was urgently needed for the people affected. Instead of gifts for his farewell as an archbishop of Vienna, he asks for donations for aid projects to support mothers and children in need as well as to help for an old people's home of the Orthodox Church in Syria. He is also concerned about the current Situation in Syria, where people fluctuate between hope and fear, such as Manuel Baghdi, Middle East Representative Schönborns, reports.

uncertain future for Christians in Syria

Manuel Baghdi emphasized that the current situation in Syria was extremely worrying due to the continuing uncertainty. Despite the peaceful messages of newly formed rulers, people feel immense fears, especially with regard to the development of a new constitution, which could possibly bring disadvantages for women and religious minorities, including Christians. Reports on attacks by Islamists on Christian symbols and institutions such as falling a large Christmas tree in Aleppo strengthen concern in the Christian community. All the more, Baghdi calls for an individual examination of the asylum sayings of Syrian refugees after the Austrian federal government announced that they have been checking continuous asylum applications and planning returning programs.

The multi -layered problem shows that the Christian community in Syria is under enormous pressure, while the international community is required to develop clear strategies for the stabilization of the country. The Christians and other minorities continue to cause severe concerns about the possibility that Islam will be declared a state religion. The statements of Schönborn and Baghdi capture the urgency of the situation and the need for a human answer to the challenges that the people of Syria have suffered for years