Enforcement of the bipartisan Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act will be urgently tested in Idlib, where civilians are
under constant and escalating violence
Washington, DC — As Russia and the Assad regime bombard innocent civilians in Idlib, Syria, President Trump today signed into law the
Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (S. 52/H.R. 31), as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will sanction Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and
Iranian allies. Syrian American organizations applaud this signing and look to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and
the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to impose these sanctions, ultimately holding perpetrators of atrocities in
Syria accountable at long last.
The Syrian American organizations extend their gratitude to the members of U.S. Congress and President Trump for quickly
moving the bill forward into law, and for the efforts of the network of community members and advocates that fought
tirelessly for the passage of this legislation. The signing of this legislation represents the continuation of
engagement between U.S. officials and the Syrian American community on efforts to uphold human rights in Syria and hold
Assad and his allies responsible for war crimes.
The organizations released the following statement:
“The Syrian American community hopes that the Trump administration will utilize the legislative tools provided by
Congress through the Caesar bill to take immediate and concerted action against the Assad regime’s war machine.
Together, our organizations stand ready to assist the administration in the implementation of the Caesar bill through
consulting with federal agencies to provide information and evidence against individuals and entities responsible for
atrocities against civilians.
“Although we are commemorating this momentous event today, we must get back to work tomorrow. Even now as we celebrate
this particular success, Syrian civilians in Idlib are under near-constant bombardment, threatening what could be the
worst humanitarian catastrophe of the past eight years. Ending the violence in Idlib will be the true and immediate test
of the bill’s efficacy in protecting Syrian civilians.
“The Caesar bill is the first step in bringing a non-violent resolution to the Syrian conflict. There is more that both
Congress and the Trump administration can do to pressure Bashar al-Assad to come to the peace table through the Geneva
process.”
Syrian American organizations have advocated for this legislation since 2016 and will continue to strive towards the
protection of civilians in Idlib, reconstruction and stabilization in non-regime held areas, addressing the presence of
Iranian-backed militias in Syria, and the distribution of humanitarian assistance through the United Nations. The Caesar
Syria Civilian Protection Act is a critical tool for the United States to produce a diplomatic solution in Syria.
Background:
The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act is a bipartisan legislation intended to avoid harm to civilians and prevent
normalization of a criminal regime. Enforcement of the Act will:
• Sanction all persons and businesses that fund Assad’s war machine, including Syria’s Central Bank, oil
companies, construction companies and mercenary forces;
• Sanction war criminals in Syria, including Armed Forces commanders, the Council of Ministers and employees at
the Scientific Research and Studies Center, which makes chemical weapons;
• Provide Congress with military and non-military solutions for civilian protection, including those under
bombardment, trapped at borders or displaced;
• Avert neighboring countries from providing economic support to the Assad regime;
• Ensure the president can only lift sanctions when the Syrian government takes concrete steps toward human rights
goals and prioritization of civilian safety by ending air strikes, releasing detainees, and allowing the safe and
voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
Organizations signing on to this statement include:
Americans for a Free Syria
Citizens for a Secure and Safe America
Free Syria PAC
Kayla’s List PAC
Syrian American Council
Syrian Emergency Task Force
Syrian Institute for Progress
Syrian Christians for Peace