The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry on Aug. 14 reported that the wave of violent attacks that engulfed coastal and western central Syria in March may constitute war crimes and urged for accountability to restore public confidence in the authorities.

Evidence adduced in the report painted a harrowing picture of widespread massacres targeting Alawi communities, documenting crimes including murder, torture, and the desecration of corpses, as well as large-scale internal displacement. Footage of civilians being subjected to degrading treatment and abuse was disseminated widely via social media. The violence was attributed to members of the interim government force, pro-former government fighters (PFGFs), and unaffiliated individuals. The chair of the commission, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, stated: "The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing. We call on the interim authorities to continue to pursue accountability for all perpetrators, regardless of affiliation or rank."

Attacks indiscriminately targeted individuals from the Alawite minority, with men who were identified as being part of the group separated from the women and children before being executed. Despite attempts by the interim government to halt the violence, members of factions that were recently integrated into the interim government’s forces apparently participated in the attacks. The large scale of violence led to overcrowding in hospitals and a depletion of medical resources. The report counted 1,400 slain, with the vast majority being adult men. UNICEF also noted the deaths of vulnerable individuals such as children, the disabled and senior citizens.

From JURIST, Aug. 14. Used with permission.