European External Action Service: European Union External Action

EUROPEAN UNION
Damascus, 21 September 2011
Local EU Statement on Syria
On the death of a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer following an attack on his
ambulance
The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU
Heads of Mission in Syria.
The EU deeply regrets the tragic death of Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer Mr Hakam
Draak al-Siba’i, who succumbed to serious gunshot injuries suffered during an armed attack
on a clearly marked Syrian Arab Red Crescent ambulance in the city of Homs on 7
September. Two other Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers were injured in the same attack.
Mr al-Siba'i was killed while courageously and selflessly providing assistance to fellow
Syrians in need of medical attention. We express our condolences to his family and all those
who will miss him as a friend, colleague and fellow volunteer. We also express our
condolences to the staff and to all volunteers of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society.
The EU calls upon all to respect humanitarian workers, to practice caution and to ensure the
protection of all medical facilities, professionals and volunteers, and to guarantee and
facilitate safe access to medical treatment for all those in need without any discrimination.
The EU salutes the courage and commitment of all Syrian medical staff and volunteers who
put themselves in danger to help others in need.
The EU calls on Syria to respect the neutrality of and ensure the protection of humanitarian
organisations who assist those in need. It underlines the importance of full respect by all for
international laws and standards governing the use of force. The EU calls for a full
investigation into the circumstances leading to the attack on the ambulance in which Mr alSiba'i was travelling as a volunteer, and for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the attack.
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