Attachments
DAMASCUS/GENEVA – The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry concluded its latest mission to Damascus during which Commission Chair Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro and Commissioner Hanny Megally met with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who offered continued cooperation and access for the Commission’s teams across the country. They also met other representatives of the Syrian caretaker authorities, victims and family associations, human rights and humanitarian organizations, lawyers and the diplomatic corps.
“We were pleased to continue our engagement with the Syrian authorities and to discuss human rights issues in an open and transparent manner,” Pinheiro said in an end of mission statement.
During several on-site visits in recent weeks, the Commission witnessed the devastation wrought during the 13-year long conflict in Harasta, Douma, Zabadani, Daraya and other locations in Rif Damascus.
“We visited entire districts shattered by warfare and by pillage by the former government’s forces, such as Yarmouk camp,” said Pinheiro. “In the midst of these ravaged ruins, we met Syrians who have returned, and who are trying to restore their former homes and lives, testament to their strength and hopes for a better future.”
The tragic scenes of devastation underscored that the humanitarian and economic situation could not be more dire. Ninety percent of Syrians live on less than two US dollars per day. Sectoral sanctions imposed on the former government in response to its mass atrocities are now impeding Syrians from rebuilding their country.
“We met humanitarian actors who explained how sanctions not only impede aid delivery and investment, but even remittances from individual Syrians eager to rebuild homes and lives,” said Megally. “The recent decision by the European Union to suspend a range of sanctions is a positive step that should prompt further sanctions review. Suspending or ending sectoral sanctions is more urgent than ever. Economic despair fuels violence. Millions of Syrians are right now without jobs, without salaries, just as the country looks to build a brighter future.”
The Commission’s visit came two weeks after hundreds of civilians were killed and injured in retaliatory attacks in the coastal regions, which the Commission is currently investigating.
In this regard, the Commission was pleased to meet the independent national inquiry established by the caretaker authorities to examine the coastal events, and to exchange experiences about good practices for independent investigations.
“Their members’ commitment to ensuring accountability and establishing the truth in an impartial and trust-building manner is reassuring, and we encouraged the Committee, unprecedented in Syria, to work in the most transparent manner possible and to make its findings public,” said Megally. “Their task is critical to uncover the facts to bring those responsible to account. The outcome can be both a clear deterrent to any repetition and an important step in re-building trust in a State in which the rule of law is observed.”
The Commission heard from both victims and civil society actors of their fear of further violence and displacement, yet was heartened to also hear about grassroot initiatives aiming to restore social harmony in various towns and cities. To end the violence, it encourages the caretaker authorities to support such community initiatives, utilizing the wealth of knowledge and expertise of Syrian civil society.
Further, after 14 years of mass atrocities, Syrians clamour for justice and accountability. The Commission was encouraged by Foreign Minister al-Shaibani’s and other officials’ clear commitment to building a Syria that will respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all Syrians, and that will further transitional justice to tackle the legacy of repression by the past regime. The Foreign Minister also stressed the search for the disappeared and obtaining justice and accountability for the victims will be prioritized. The Commission stands ready to fully support such efforts.
Many interlocutors raised the need for more frequent public information on progress in these areas. Some were worried that, despite improvements in evidence and crime site preservation, the authorities may not yet be in a position to secure all relevant sites, underscoring the need for greater national and international solidarity and support.
Civil society representatives stressed their eagerness to contribute to a new Syria. To facilitate their work, they highlighted the need to address challenges such as onerous registration requirements and assets confiscated by the former government.
All Syrians the Commissioners spoke with highlighted the immense challenges their country faces, but also their resolve.
“They have shown determination and strength even amid the destruction of their homeland. The international community cannot sit idly by while Syrians emerge from decades of repression – now is the time for tangible actions to assist, or at the very least refrain from impeding, Syria’s transition,” said Pinheiro. “I was moved by all Syrians who shared their stories with us. They deserve all the support they can get to build a future of peace and dignity.”
ENDS
Background: The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1.The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently until 31 March 2025.
More information on the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria can be found here.
The expert members of the Syria Commission of Inquiry were appointed by the President of UN Human Rights Council to gather data on alleged human rights violations, collect unbiased information and provide independent analysis. The experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights Office provides administrative, technical and logistical support to the Commission of Inquiry, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the mandated body and its experts, and do not necessarily represent those of the UN.
For media requests, please contact: Johan Eriksson, UN Syria Commission of Inquiry Media Adviser, at +41 76 691 0411 / johan.eriksson@un.org; or Todd Pitman, Media Adviser, Investigative Missions, at todd.pitman@un.org; Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Media Officer at simp@un.org.