The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Item 2 and 3:

 OHCHR report on transitional justice

Joint statement by Meezaan Center for Human Rights, Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration and Geneva International Centre for Justice

By Lorenzo Bersellini / GICJ

We welcome the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In providing a wide array of good practices that have at their core the protection and reintegration of victims into society, the report gives multiple examples of how to achieve transitional justice without leaving anyone behind, considering aspects related to the promotion of accountability, memory, grass-route initiatives, victims protection and national or international mechanisms for justice.

In light of all these recommendations, we believe that the report should serve as a blueprint for the current Syrian authorities as they transition from the 53-years-long dictatorship rule which has left the country shattered in ruins and in need to heal from a profound trauma.

In order to achieve a sustainable and lasting peace, establishing an effective and truthful framework for transitional justice must be a priority for Syria’s new authorities.

Meezaan Center for Human Rights, Association Ma’onah and Geneva International Center for Justice therefore advocate for the implementation of a victim-centered mechanism to secure accountability for crimes perpetrated in Syria, the documentation and collection of evidence regarding abuses and violations and the creation of forums where victims can safely share their stories and receive adequate legal and psychological counseling. We believe that the voice of civil society and victims must be at the center of Syria’s transitional justice. Finally, it is imperative to allow the millions of Syrians who fled the country to contribute to the dialogue. We thus call upon the relevant international and regional organisations to facilitate this process.

Thank you.