“Interactive dialogue with: Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic A/HRC/45/31"

Agenda Item 4: - Human rights situations that require the Council's attention

Statement by: Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration

22 September 2020

Thank you, President.

We thank the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for their report. We are deeply concerned about their findings, especially regarding the ongoing enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, a majority of which are caused by the Syrian government.

Since March 2011, about 100,000 disappeared individuals have been recorded in Syria, the whereabouts of whom still remain unknown.

Beyond this, the systematic targeting of civilians and their arbitrary detention, as well as the destruction of schools and medical facilities, amount to crimes against humanity. Under no circumstances should the fight against terrorism be used as a pretext to target civilians.

The external support of the militias, that are killing and abducting civilians on a sectarian basis, is exacerbating the already dire situation in the country.

Ma’onah Association and Geneva International Centre for Justice believe that, after 11 years of continuous human rights violations, a mere political agreement will not suffice to establish lasting peace in Syria. Concrete action needs to be taken by all parties to the conflict.

In this regard, we urge the Council to pressure the Syrian government to ensure the release of arbitrarily detained civilians and abductees, and to locate disappeared persons.

Lastly, we reiterate our call for a nationwide ceasefire, which, after a decade of ongoing conflict, will be crucial for humanitarian aid to flow to the Syrian people.

I thank you.

Justice, Human rights, Geneva, geneva4justice, GICJ, Geneva International Centre For Justice