About the Campaign

 

Our campaign leaflet in English - download here.

 

"MAKE PEACE. Nonviolent Solutions for Syria"

 

Our Demands:

 

  1. No continuation of the mandate for the German Federal Armed Forces in Syria

445 yes votes, 145 no votes and 7 abstentions: This was the result of the German Federal Parliament’s vote in favor of an Armed Forces mandate to enter the fight against the so-called Islamic State in Syria on December 4, 2015. The decision was made as a reaction to the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015, a decision which took place without any public debate and against public international law, constitutional law as well as political skepticism concerning its legitimacy and usefulness. In the end, once again a military mandate was enacted to bring about peace and defeat terrorism – however the direct opposite is most likely to occur. Experiences of other military interventions such as the one in Afghanistan have shown that violence cannot be fought with violence and terrorism cannot be deemed with military actions. On the contrary: Military interventions have even fostered more terrorism and extremism worldwide.

This is why we demand from our members of parliament: to stop the deployment of the Federal Armed Forces in Syria and to vote NO in the annual vote concerning the continuation of the military mandate.

 

  1. Supporting the peace process of the United Nations under participation of the civil society

A NO to a military intervention necessarily means a YES to nonviolent alternatives. Most important here is the support of the peace process of the UN and the inclusion and participation of all conflict parties. Furthermore, it is important to note that the diplomatic efforts should not only focus on heads of states and the military. An inclusion of the Syrian people and the civil society inside and outside of Syria must be involved in the efforts. Especially important is a higher participation of Syrian women.

Therefore, we demand from our members of parliament: to use all their efforts, resources and contacts to achieve nonviolent solutions. We acknowledge that it takes courage to not give into a military strike which often seems a fast solution and to count on much longer and tougher diplomacy and dialogue. However, we demand this courage and patience – because only a diplomatic peace process can lead to sustainable peace.

 

  1. Increase resources for humanitarian aid – strengthen nonviolent conflict transformation

An immediate improvement of the humanitarian situation is the basis for peace: The war in Syria has left more than 400.000 dead and even more injured and traumatized. Since the beginning of the war, more than 11 million Syrians had to leave their homes, many of which are now living in refugee camps in neighboring countries and under severe conditions. At the same time, there are still millions of people surrounded by direct violence within Syria. All those people are in urgent and direct need of more humanitarian aid.

But focusing on humanitarian aid alone is not enough. Simultaneously, perspectives for sustainable peace need to be developed by measures of nonviolent conflict transformation: for example through a ban on weapon deliveries into the region, through efforts of reconciliation and reintegration of ex-combatants, through democracy and participation projects and through promotion and support of local peace initiatives. Despite the ongoing extreme violence, there are still islands of nonviolent resistance in Syria. It is essential to support and strengthen those islands. A sustainable peace for Syria can only be established within and by the Syrian society.

This is why we demand from our members of parliament: a significant increase in humanitarian aid for Syria as well as an increase and the consequent use of nonviolent conflict transformation tools.

 

Only with joint efforts we will be able to bring these demands forward on to the political stage.

Support our campaign and get involved now!

  • Organize a public discussion about the Syrian conflict in your city and inform others about nonviolent options!
  • Hold dialogues with the members of parliament in your constituency and present them our demands!
  • Order our campaign material and distribute it in your circles!
  • Encourage your local peace group to officially join our campaign as a member!
  • Order our campaign newsletter and stay up to date!
  • And contact us whenever you have questions concerning the campaign. We are happy to help!

 

In order to finance material, meetings, activities and the coordination of the campaign we are in need of donations. Every contribution helps!

Donation Account: Förderverein Frieden e.V.  

DE89 4306 0967 4041 8604 00

BIC: GENODEM1GLS

Reference: MACHT FRIEDEN.

 

Contact information:

MACHT FRIEDEN. Zivile Lösung für Syrien / MAKE PEACE. Civilian Conflict Transformation for Syria

c/o Netzwerk Friedenskooperative

Römerstr. 88, 53111 Bonn

Germany

Phone: 0049 (0)228-692904

info@macht-frieden.de www.macht-frieden.de, www.facebook.com/machtfrieden