By: Sarah Tayara
In the 18th meeting of the 𝟒𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐍 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, on 23 Sep 2021, the Independent Commission of Inquiry came together with states and non-governmental organisations in the Interactive Dialogue on the Syrian Arab Republic to discuss the flagrant human rights situation since the beginning of the decade long conflict.
Members of the commission Ms Abuzayd, Mr Megally and Mr Pinheiro all presented their findings, highlighting that more than 10 years on from the establishment of the commission grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by the Syrian government, amongst other parties in the conflict, have persisted against the Syrian people with impunity. Despite mentioning a wide array of pertinent issues, Ms Abuzayd focused on the alarming increase in siege like tactics by the Syrian government, particularly in the region of Daraa. She also drew attention to the recent wave of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of tens of thousands of Syrian men, women, boys and girls whose location and condition remains unknown by their loved ones. The commission implored the international community and as well as the Syrian government to amplify the voices of innocent Syrians who have been lost within the 10-year long horrific conflict. The commission concluded by urging all parties in the conflict to put the needs of the Syrian people first.
Syria denied all allegations made against it in the report, claiming that the commission was harbouring a heavily politicised agenda. Syria insisted that the report intended to smear the reputation of the Syrian regime which, they claim, has only been fighting terrorist organisations over the last 10 years and is not responsibility for the deprivation, torture and hardships of its civilians. Russia, Iran and China, amongst other countries followed Syria’s condemnation of the ‘politicised agenda’ of the report and its threat to Syria’s sovereignty.
Turkey and the European Union, amongst others, took a firm stance against the Syrian regime's heinous behaviour and flagrant disdain for the lives and rights of its people. These countries criticised the use of chemical weapons, and reiterated their full support for the International, Independent and Impartial Mechanism, UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and the finding of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) joins the commission in the strongest condemnation of the countless human rights violations committed against innocent civilians in the Syrian conflict. We implore Syrian government and other parties in the conflict to put the needs of the Syrian people first for the first time in a decade, by immediately releasing all political prisoners and illegally detained civilians and reuniting them with their loved ones. Finally, we urge the international community to do more to ensure that the perpetrators of injustices and violations of the Syrian people are held accountable, and that the strategic use of civilian lives and dignity will no longer prevail with impunity.
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