Syria Three Years On: Can Iran Help?

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To mark the third anniversary of the crisis in Syria, groups from around the world have joined together to hold a global vigil on March 13th. Calling for an end to bloodshed and for those in need to have direct access to aid, the #WithSyria campaign has harnessed a network of human rights organizations, high profile celebrities and members of the public to take part in a range of initiatives to show solidarity with Syria’s citizens.

As the country enters into its third year of crisis, many in the international community will be wondering whether Iran might play a more active role in helping bring about a peaceful resolution in the war-torn country and whether talks between the United States, Europe and Iran might facilitate this. Following dismay after Iran’s invite to take part in UN Syrian peace was revoked in January, some have argued that the United States and others might do well to consider once again how Iran’s influence with Bashar al Assad’s regime might play out.

Though there has been widespread skepticism – or at least healthy amounts of caution – about President Hassan Rouhani’s commitment to human rights as set out in last year’s citizenship charter, there may well be a glimmer of hope among humanitarian campaigners around the world that Iran might be able to offer some degree of relief for the estimated 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian help in Syria. After Rouhani’s election in June, he stated that Iran would continue to send aid to Syrian refugees in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, and this pledge was reiterated by the foreign minister earlier this year.

Certainly dedicated hope is what’s driving the #WithSyria campaign and its supporters. The artist Banksy agreed to redesign one of his most well-publicized works for the vigils: a light projection featuring a Syrian child holding a red balloon will appear on Nelson’s Column in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, as well as in other major cities. At least 40 cities will take part in the vigil. Supporters are encouraged to tweet photographs of themselves with red balloons to #WithSyria. Red balloons will be released simultaneously across the world.

An animated film directed by Hi-Sim Studios and written by The Sunshine Company, featuring music by Elbow and a voiceover by Idris Elba, will be shown around the world, from an inflatable cinema in Za’atari Refugee camp in Jordan to Times Square.

Humanitarian groups, including Crisis Action, Amnesty International and Hand in Hand for Syria, will call for world leaders to help bring an end to the crisis, which has resulted in 2.5 million refugees, 9.3 million people in need of humanitarian and over 6.5 million people internally displaced. “Countries must give generously to the UN’s humanitarian appeal for $6.5bn, which is severely under-funded, and reconvene inclusive talks on the future of the country as a matter of urgency," said Mark Goldring, Oxfam's chief executive.

Iranian senior officials have stated that they support a dialogue between opposition forces and the regime, while making it clear that Iran continues to support the Assad government.

But as the world marks three years of conflict, it’s clear that if Iran is in a position to help some of Syria’s most vulnerable citizens, this would send a positive message to the world about its commitment to humanitarian needs and may make civil society activists within its borders feel there is some room for hope for other human rights issues too.