The Second Conference of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People (The Friends’ Group) was held in Istanbul on 1 April 2012.

Total 83 countries and international organizations including the representatives from the United Nations, The League of Arab States, The European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the African Union participated in the Conference. Syrian National Council also took part at this meeting. The Conference started with the keynote speech of Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Turkey. Syrian high level government officials who had to flee their homeland shared their experiences with the Friends’ Group.

The Friends’ Group underlined that the future of Syria must be determined by the Syrian people and that it will stand firmly by them until their rightful and legitimate aspirations are fulfilled.

The Friends’ Group re-emphasized the importance of the full implementation by the Syrian regime of the six-point plan of the UN-Arab League Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan. However, the Friends’ Group stressed its deep regret of the continuation of the actions of the Syrian regime, despite its announcement of acceptance of the six point plan of JSE Kofi Annan and pointed out that the window of opportunity for the regime to implement its commitments to Joint Special Envoy Annan is not open-ended.

The Friends’ Group recognized the Syrian National Council as a legitimate representative of all Syrians and the umbrella organization under which Syrian opposition groups are gathering.

The Friends’ Group appealed to responsible citizens of Syria not to be a part of the atrocities committed by the regime. It called particularly on those serving in the armed forces, security agencies and other government offices not to obey unlawful orders targeting the Syrian people.

Moreover the Friends’ Group agreed to develop a multilateral initiative to support international and Syrian efforts to document, analyze and store evidence of serious violations of human rights in order to deter such conduct and lay the foundation for future accountability. Group endorsed the mandate for the Working Group on Economic Recovery and Development which aims to be a central forum of the international community for planning and coordination of assistance to the economic recovery and development of Syria. Group also decided to set up a Sanctions Working Group, in order to achieve greater effectiveness in the enforcement of the restrictive measures already put in force by states or international organizations. The Friends’ Group committed to render all possible assistance, both technical advice and direct support, to a Syrian-led political process that is peaceful, orderly and stable.

The Friends’ Group expressed its grave concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Syria. It reiterated its call on all parties to allow free and unimpeded access by humanitarian agencies to deliver essential relief goods and services to those most affected by the violence, including the treatment of the wounded.

The Group agreed to hold its next meeting in France.

Chairman’s Conclusions Second Conference Of The Group Of Friends Of The Syrian People, 1 April 2012, Istanbul

Photographs from the Second Conference Of The Group Of Friends Of The Syrian People