GICJ Oral Statement with Meezaan Centre for Human Rights 

By Yasmine Darwish /GICJ

On the 30th of June, Yasmine Darwish delivered an Oral Statement on behalf of Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) and Meezaan Center for Human Rights, during the meeting on the Syrian Arab Republic’s Adoption of its Universal Periodic Review. 

Syria's acceptance of the recommendations to criminalise torture and other forms of cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment or punishment, combat sexual violence, and free all those arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared was welcomed. Yasmine pointed out that Syria's prior UPRs included similar resolutions. However, no real findings have been made since then in the examination of torture claims, and no one has been held responsible despite a number of such claims being brought before the legal system.

Additionally, Syria's refusal to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is a cause for concern. Torture and other forms of cruel treatment are often used in prison against those suspected of participating in protests, journalists, online bloggers, defectors from security forces, women, and children. During rallies, children are routinely unjustly imprisoned or murdered and there are several allegations of public officials committing sexual assault against women.

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