Sweida rejects transitional government foreign ministry's statement, calls for international investigation

On Wednesday, the Supreme Legal Committee in Sweida rejected the statement of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Syrian transitional government on the so-called "roadmap for resolving the Sweida crisis," considering that" it contains blatant contradictions and a clear evasion of responsibility for the massacres and violations" that occurred in Sweida last July.

In a press release, the committee said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had spoken of cooperation with the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, but then reaffirmed that accountability would be conducted in accordance with the Syrian law. This was described as a "contradictory proposition that makes the accused a judge of himself."

The committee accused the transitional government of attempting to appear "a neutral party seeking reconciliation," while it was "a direct partner in crimes that have affected thousands of civilians, including killed, missing persons, and kidnapped."

It added that the Syrian judiciary is "politicized and not independent," and that any trials conducted via it "will be nothing more than a formal facade to whitewash crimes."

It also stated that talk of "joint local councils and police forces" aims to "impose guardianship and sow internal discord through figures who have lost their societal legitimacy."

It emphasized that the "crimes and violations" that Sweida has been subjected to, in addition to decades of marginalization and deprivation, give the people of the province the legal and moral right to self-determination," whether through self-administration or separation, which it described as "the last resort to ensure security, dignity, and existence."

The committee called on the United Nations and the Security Council not to recognize any arrangements imposed on the people of Sweida and emphasized the need for an independent investigation and international accountability mechanisms, free from the control of the transitional government. It emphasized "the right of Sweida people to self-determination in accordance with international conventions."

The statement concluded by emphasizing that what happened last July "were not unfortunate incidents, as described by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, but rather full-fledged crimes against humanity," emphasizing that these crimes should be addressed "not through local judicial theatrics, but rather through a transparent international process that ensures the perpetrators are held accountable and the rights of Sweida people are protected."

J.J