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EU calls on Syrian conflict parties to protect civilians

Xinhua, August 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Union (EU) here on Monday slammed the latest violence in Syria, calling on all parties to protect civilians.

"Violence continues to escalate in Syria, which has already become the world's largest humanitarian crisis," said a joint declaration by EU foreign affairs cheif Federica Mogherini and EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, on the latest indiscriminate attacks against the Syrian people.

According to the joint declaration, in early August alone, no fewer than nine hospitals were deliberately targeted in the Idlib region and civilians were hit in Douma, Zabadani and elsewhere, killing more than one hundred Syrian citizens, including women and children.

"Those responsible for the numerous grave violations of human rights and the murder of thousands of civilians must be held accountable," it said, urging all parties to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the protection of civilians.

The EU will continue to support all efforts to reach a lasting political solution by mutual consent based on the Geneva communique, which was adopted on June 30, 2012. Endit