SYRIAN CIVIL DEFENCE KNOWN AS THE WHITE HELMETS

Early day motion 536, tabled 12 October 2016 by Anne McLaughlin (Scottish National Party). Signed by 32 members.

That this House applauds the work of the Syrian Civil Defence volunteer rescue workers known as the White Helmets, who work in one of the most dangerous places on Earth; recognises that they are the largest civil society organisation operating in areas outside of government control in Syria; notes the White Helmets are volunteer men and women from all walks of life; praises its delivery of public services to nearly seven million people; commends its saving of people on all sides of the conflict, pledging commitment to the principles of humanity, solidarity, impartiality; recognises these volunteers have saved 62,000 lives, and this number is growing daily; regrets that 141 White Helmets have been killed saving lives; calls for the UN to uphold Resolution 2139 of 2014 which banned barrel bombs and other indiscriminate weapons; and believes that the White Helmets motto, to save a life is to save all of humanity, is an expression of hope for Syrians.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 23, Labour 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.