Australia–Syria relations

Australia–Syria relations

Australia	Syria

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 May 1975 when first Australian ambassador to Syria Mr. P. N. Hutton presented credentials to President Hafez al-Assad.^[1] Since 2012, diplomatic relations have been effectively suspended with the Syrian Arab Republic, with no diplomatic accreditation by either country maintained, but consular relations continue.^[2] However, diplomatic relations still exist on paper.

History[edit]

An Australian embassy was opened in Damascus in 1977. Syria opened an embassy in Canberra in the early 2000s.^{[citation needed]} Until the start of the current Syrian Civil War in 2011, the two countries enjoyed good relations, supported by people-to-people links.

Since 2011, Australia has imposed autonomous sanctions in relation to Syria "to reflect Australia's grave concern at the Syrian regime's deeply disturbing and unacceptable use of violence against its people".^[3] In May 2012, in response to a civilian massacre in Houla, the Syrian chargé d'affaires and another diplomat based in Canberra were expelled, and Syria closed its embassy in June 2012.^[4] There is currently no exchange of diplomats between the countries but Syria maintains an honorary consulate in Sydney. The 2016 Australian census recorded 15,321 Syrian-born residents, including a wave of migrants arriving since 2011 under the Humanitarian Program.^[5] In response to the ongoing crisis in Syria, Australia has provided about $525 million in humanitarian support since 2011, including the $249 million, four-year Syria Crisis Humanitarian and Resilience Package (2017–20).^[6]

References[edit]