We urgently call for the replacement of the Syrian regime’s flag at the Syrian embassy in London. Following the recent collapse of the Assad regime and his flight to Moscow, this is the time for action.

Protesters have previously attempted to remove this flag, only to be stopped by the police, who advised us to take this matter to the government.

This flag symbolises a regime responsible for unimaginable suffering, including turning Syria into a modern day concentration camp. Over 100,000 individuals are estimated to have been tortured to death, with countless others still missing. Syrians are mourning, searching for loved ones, and trying to rebuild their lives.

It is time for the UK to stand with Syrians by replacing this flag with the Syrian Freedom Flag, a symbol of hope, justice, and the people’s struggle for freedom. Several European cities, such as Madrid, Athens, Moscow, Belgrade, and Stockholm, have already done this. London must follow suit.

Furthermore, Syrians face continued challenges:

• Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) remains designated as a terrorist organisation in the UK, complicating stability efforts.
• Sanctions targeting the Assad regime remain in place, even though the regime has fallen, disproportionately harming innocent Syrians
• Israel continues bombing Syrian territory, and stability remains elusive.

Meanwhile, the UK Home Office has paused Syrian asylum applications, leaving vulnerable people without refuge.

We call on the UK government to:

1. Replace the Syrian regime’s flag with the Syrian Freedom Flag.
2. Resume and continue processing Syrian asylum applications, offering protection to those fleeing violence and persecution.
3. Remove sanctions that harm innocent Syrians, as the Assad regime no longer exists.
4. Reopen the UK embassy in Syria, enabling aid and diplomacy to support future stability.
5. Reassess the designation of new government officials on the terrorist list, to facilitate a balanced and constructive approach to stabilisation.

Until there is safety and infrastructure in place, it is unreasonable to expect Syrians to return home. The UK must lead by example, standing in solidarity with Syrians and advocating for a fair and peaceful resolution to the crisis.