Article Summary
A persecution watchdog, Christian Solidarity International (CSI), has welcomed President Donald Trump’s pledge to ease Syrian sanctions while cautioning about religious liberty protections. The sanctions, implemented in 2011, have had a devastating impact on the Syrian people, causing over 90% of the population to live in poverty. Trump’s announcement to normalize relations with Syria has been seen as a positive step, but CSI has always opposed broad sanctions that affect the entire country. However, the new regime led by the founder of Al-Qaeda in Syria raises concerns about religious persecution, especially for Christians and other religious minorities. Trump’s sanction proclamation must come with assurances of protections for these groups to prevent Syria from becoming like Saudi Arabia, where religious liberty is severely restricted.
What This Means for You
- Be aware of the potential religious persecution in Syria, especially for Christians and other religious minorities, following the lift of broad sanctions.
- Support initiatives and actions that promote religious freedom and protect these vulnerable groups in Syria.
- Stay informed about the development in Syria and the region, as the situation can quickly change, and religious liberty continues to be at risk.
- Advocate for firm guarantees of religious freedom in Syria as broader sanctions are potentially lifted, to prevent the country from becoming like Iran, where religious minorities face severe restrictions.
Original Post
A persecution watchdog is praising President Donald Trump’s pledge to ease Syrian sanctions while also offering a caveat — a warning about the importance of locking religious liberty protections in place.
WANT MIRACLE STORIES? STREAM CBN’S NEW FILM, “INVESTIGATING THE SUPERNATURAL: MIRACLES”
Joel Veldkamp, head of international communications at Christian Solidarity International (CSI), told CBN News Trump’s pledge is welcomed by his organization. He also explained the sweeping impact the longstanding sanctions have had on the Syrian people.
[…]
Veldkamp said CSI has been opposed to “broad sanctions” on Syria that target the entire country and, in turn, hurt every citizen. They have wanted to see these sanctions struck, with the persecution watchdog stating that Christians in Syria have long said this would be essential if believers “are going to survive in Syria as a religious group.”
[…]
Veldkamp called images and videos showing Trump shaking hands with al-Sharaa “mind-blowing,” especially considering the newly minted Syrian leader’s terrorist past. And with Saudi Arabia stepping into the fold and supporting the new regime — a rich nation that curtails religious liberty to only permit Islamic expression — there’s much to consider.
All of this fuels concern that the religious liberty present in Syria right now will be obliterated.
[…]
Key Terms
- Syrian sanctions
- Religious liberty protections
- Christian Solidarity International (CSI)
- Syrian civil war
- Religious persecution
ORIGINAL SOURCE:
Source link
