Amnesty urges Shar’a to publish civilian massacre probe results, hold perpetrators accountable

Amnesty International called on the head of Syria’s transitional government, Ahmad Al-Shar’a, to release the full findings of the fact-finding committee’s investigation into the massacres that targeted Alawite civilians in towns and rural areas of the Syrian coast last March, and to hold those responsible fully accountable.

In an official statement today, Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said: “President Ahmad Al-Shar’a must commit to publishing the full findings of the fact-finding committee’s investigation into the mass killings of Alawite civilians and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Beckerle emphasized that disclosing the committee’s investigative methodology and final results is a legitimate right of the victims, their families, and the public, stressing that transparency and accountability are essential to achieving justice.

She added: “Only independent and impartial investigations can lead to fair and credible trials. Effective compensation must also be provided to survivors and affected families as a genuine step toward redress for the victims and the prevention of such violations.”

Al-Shar’a had pledged after the massacre to hold the perpetrators accountable “fairly and without leniency,” and Amnesty International called for this promise to be fulfilled, describing it as a test of the transitional government’s credibility in addressing crimes committed on sectarian or political grounds.

A-H

ANHA