MPs Experience For Sama in UK Parliament

On 8 October 2019, a special screening of For Sama and panel discussion with the filmmakers took place in the Attlee suite in Portcullis House, Westminster, marking the official launch of the Action For Sama impact campaign. 

In attendance were a number of UK Members of Parliament, representatives from UK-based national and international NGOs and UK-based representatives from policy organisations whose work focuses on Syria. 

FOR SAMA was introduced by Channel 4 News Editor Ben de Pear, and post screening, a panel discussion featuring Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts was moderated by XXXX.

Among those in attendance, several members of Parliament expressed their support for the campaign, including Alison McGovern and Andrew Micthell. Ms McGovern is pictured below with the Action For Sama sign urging governments to take a stand to help #Stop Bombing Hospitals. 

Member of Parliament Alison McGovern on 8 October 2019.

Mr Mitchell voiced his solidarity with the demand to stop impunity and additional conversations with him on the day subsequently led to a meeting with the filmmakers and representatives from Action For Sama campaign at his office. 

Edward Watts, Waad al-Kateab and Andrew Mitchell

After this meeting, Mr Mitchell tabled a question in Parliament on 22 October 2019, the details of which are included here:

Question from Mr Mitchell: Tabled on: 22 October 2019

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the decision taken at the National Security Council in 2012 to collect and store evidence of breaches of international humanitarian law perpetrated during the Syrian conflict, what steps the Government is taking to use that evidence to tackle a culture of impunity. (3591)

Answer: Dr Andrew Murrison: Submitted on 28 Oct 2019 

The UK is committed to highlighting the appalling violations of international humanitarian law in Syria and to seeing those responsible held to account in the most appropriate jurisdiction. We are providing both political and financial support, including £950,000 to 

date, to the work of the UN International Impartial and Independent Mechanism which is gathering evidence for the prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law in Syria. This is part of the over £9 million that the UK has contributed since 2012 in support of efforts to gather evidence and assist victims of human rights abuses and violations.

Action For Sama are committed to engaging Members of the UK Parliament in future conversations to end the culture of impunity around war crimes being committed in Syria and to support the demand for accountability  to further the international demands of the campaign. Additional screenings of For Sama as part of advocacy-based engagement for the campaign will be planned for 2020. 

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Action for Sama is in an independent campaign by the filmmakers of For Sama, which aims to end the targeting of healthcare facilities and civilians in Syria. To find out more and learn how you can take action, visit actionforsama.com. 

Watch For Sama on Channel 4 (UK) and PBS Frontline (US)