Geneva, A United Nations expert has voiced concerns that the United States Anti-Normalization Act, currently under consideration by the US Congress, could exacerbate the already critical humanitarian situation in Syria. The act aims to prevent any US recognition or normalization of relations with the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad, but it might have severe repercussions on the Syrian population’s ability to rebuild and live peacefully.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Alena Douhan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights, urged the US Congress to consider international obligations under the UN Charter. Douhan emphasized the importance of cooperation and equal sovereignty principles to save lives and reduce suffering in Syria.

The United States has been imposing unilateral sanctions on Syria since 1979, with significant intensifications over the past decade, culminating in the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019. These sanctions, encompassing a broad array of goods, services, technology, and information, have severely limited Syria’s capacity in water, sanitation, hygiene, and health sectors, impacting a wide range of human rights.

Douhan highlighted that nearly 70% of Syrians require humanitarian assistance, primarily due to the destruction of essential infrastructure. The situation has been dire since the February 2023 earthquake, prompting calls from UN experts for the lifting of sanctions to facilitate reconstruction efforts and humanitarian aid delivery.

The proposed Anti-Normalization Act, would not only isolate the Syrian government further but also exert extraterritorial pressure on any attempts to restore and rebuild critical infrastructure. This legislation would complicate humanitarian assistance delivery and increase the burden on humanitarian actors.

Douhan criticized the bill for overstepping US jurisdiction and for putting undue pressure on the Syrian government and third countries. She warned that the act constitutes a “flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law” and could lead to a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria, where people already face shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities.

The Special Rapporteur’s call to action stresses the need for measures that align with the UN Charter’s objectives and principles, including sovereign equality, non-intervention, and cooperation, to protect the human rights of the Syrian populace.