Lawyers reaffirm their unwavering commitment to Human Rights, Justice in Syria

Lawyers of the Jazira Canton of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued a statement to the public today, read by lawyer Khanem Ayo in the city of Qamishlo, regarding the crimes and violation against civilians on the Syrian coast and in Suwayda.

The statement reads:

"In conformity with our legal, human rights, and professional mandate, and in fulfillment of our oath to protect truth and justice, we notice with utmost concern and vehement denunciation the escalating abuses of human rights in Syrian territories, and the commission of crimes equivalent to war crimes."

We have witnessed with dismay documented crimes including murder, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, systematic torture, widespread destruction of the public and forced displacement of populations that affected thousands of civilians, in outright disregard for norms of international humanitarian law and relevant international instruments, in particular the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Some of the grave violations documented are:

Massacre of dozens of civilians on the Syrian coast (March 2025), based on accounts from SOHR and human rights networks, accompanied by mass killings and systematic campaigns of intimidation.

Field executions and mass arbitrary arrests within Damascus and its suburbs, among them the arrest of journalists and civilian activists.

Heavy weapons shelling of civilian districts in Suwayda (June 2025) leads to hundreds of civilian deaths and widespread destruction and acts of arson and looting.

At least 658 instances of arbitrary arrest or enforced disappearance during the period January to June 2025, including women and children, perpetrated by different parties, including armed groups.

Thus, we corroborate the following:

1. Total condemnation of all these crimes, which are an obvious violation of international humanitarian law, specifically those which punish deliberate killing, arbitrary arrest, torture, enforced disappearance, and forced eviction.

2. Call for the creation of an independent international commission of inquiry under UN auspices, with the mandate to accurately report the violations, gather evidence in accordance with international norms of evidence collection, hold the perpetrators accountable, and refer them to the respective international courts, according to the Rome Statute.

3. Participate in the drafting of a new, holistic national constitution that embodies the will of all segments of the Syrian people and a state of law that ensures full equality for all citizens before the law, ensures judicial independence, and protects basic rights, including women's and children's rights.

4. Establishment of an independent national transitional justice and accountability institution comprising all Syrian elements with the mandate to investigate violations, prosecute perpetrators, compensate all victimized elements in accordance with restorative justice principles, and establish adequate mechanisms to prevent such violations from occurring in the future.

5. Development of advanced judicial frameworks, including the organization of specialized legal centers to collaborate with victims, provide free legal support, and expand the role of women lawyers in defending civilians' rights, in line with international professional and legal standards.

6. Enhance the transparency and accountability of judicial institutions through the publication of periodic reports on the investigation progress and human rights cases, enabling legal supervision mechanisms for ensuring effective application of international humanitarian law in Syria.

7. Enhance cooperation and coordination with international human rights organizations for activating their role in protecting civilians, making the application of justice easier, and respecting international law.

The sustainable resolution of the Syrian crisis can only be achieved through the creation of a state by a comprehensive constitutional text based on:

A robust national unity and social cohesion, based on respect for cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity.

Equal opportunities before the law, ensuring the civil, political, economic, and social human rights of all citizens.

Judicial independence as the guarantor par excellence of human rights and liberties, and an obstacle to impunity.

Protection of women, children, and vulnerable groups, with special legal and social protection for them.

Effective transitional justice mechanisms, insuring accountability of abusers, compensating victims, and insurance against recurrence.

We also stress the necessity for

Involving all Syrian parties in drafting the constitution through a national, popular, and transparent dialogue that writes the values of justice and equality into it.

Activating the judiciary and legal institutions to uphold rights and enforce the law in a non-discriminatory and impartial way.

Coordination with international human rights bodies properly to document abuses and oversee the implementation of court decisions.

We, lawyers of the Jazira Canton, reaffirm our firm commitment to continued conscientious legal work in the cause of human rights and justice and invite everyone to take their legal and ethical responsibilities to avert lasting war and ensure rule of law.

ANHA