News / Syria

Syrian students protest in some countries against EU economic sanctions

Saturday, 01 December 2018 4:04 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 01 December 2018 4:24 PM ]

Syrian students and community members protest against the economic sanctions of the EU against Damascus in Moscow, Russia, on December 1, 2018. (Photo by SANA)

Syrian students and members of the country’s communities abroad have held sit-in demonstrations in front of European embassies and consulates in a number of world capitals to protest a harsh economic blockade on Syria, calling for an immediate removal of sanctions.

According to a report by Syria's official news agency, SANA, on Saturday, branches of the National Union of Syrian Students (NUSS) and the Syrian communities staged sit-ins in Russia, Egypt, Austria, India, Cuba, Sudan and Malaysia under the title of “Lift Your Unjust Blockade on Syria.”

Syrian students and community members are seen during a sit-in against the economic sanctions of the EU against Damascus in Cairo, Egypt, December 1, 2018. (Photo by SANA)

The protesters denounced the strict sanctions on the Arab country imposed by the European Union, urging the EU member states to lift the bans. They said in spite of the blockade, Syria is victorious in defending its territory against terrorists.

Syrian students and community members are seen during a demonstration against the economic sanctions of the EU against Damascus in Vienna, Austria, December 1, 2018. (Photo by SANA)

“There are Western states that are standing against Syria and we say to them, 'Stop your terrorism and your support to terrorism,'” said Ryad Sneih, the head of the Syrian consulate in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Demonstrators also called on the international community to stand by Syria in the fight against terrorism.

Syrian students and community members are seen during a demonstration against the economic sanctions of the EU against Damascus in New Delhi, India, December 1, 2018. (Photo by SANA)

On May 28, the EU extended its restrictive measures against the Damascus government until June 1, 2019.

The sanctions currently in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments and a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank held in the EU.