UN: Ongoing Violations, arbitrary executions, and abductions in Syria

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that Syria needs further efforts to end violations and achieve justice, despite steps taken by the “interim authorities” over the past year.

In a statement delivered by its spokesperson, Thamin Al-Khaitan in Geneva, the Commission pointed to the establishment of two national bodies for transitional justice and for the missing, as well as two committees to investigate violence in the coastal regions and Sweida. It also noted the announcement of a draft transitional justice law and the start of trials for those accused of violence.

The Commission confirmed that violations persist, including arbitrary executions, killings, abductions, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, property confiscation, forced evictions, and restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

It noted that some of these acts targeted specific communities, including Alawites, Druze, Christians, and Bedouins, fueled by rising hate speech.

Al-Khaitan indicated that the integration of former armed groups into the new security forces was carried out hastily, calling for security sector reform in line with human-rights standards to ensure that perpetrators of violations are not integrated. He also stressed the need for independent, comprehensive, and transparent investigations into all past and present violations, and for holding those responsible accountable.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for addressing the root causes of violations, emphasizing that “accountability, justice, peace, security, and the rights of victims are essential conditions for the success of Syria’s transitional process.”

ANHA