The United Nations Human Rights Council on April 4 passed [7] a resolution demanding accountability for violations and abuses by Syria's ousted Bashar Assad regime through "transitional justice," and declaring support for "the commitments of the interim authorities" to an "orderly and inclusive transition" and establishment of a timeline for free elections. Assad al-Shaibani, foreign minister of the newly re-founded Syrian Arab Republic, welcomed [8] the resolution, viewing it as an acknowledgement of the government's "local and international efforts to protect human rights."
The resolution, passed during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, is the first resolution concerning Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. .
The resolution was passed after the "unprecedented granting of access by the interim authorities" to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, and other UN bodies, which conducted visits to prison sites, engaged with civil society groups, and communicated with the new authorities. Out of this collected information, the Commission of Inquiry prepared a report [10], outlining the overthrow of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024, the developments since, and the challenges the country will face in the near future.
Paulo Pinheiro, chair of the Commission of Inquiry, stated [11]:
Since December, the Commission has visited former Government detention facilities in Damascus and Rural Damascus, including Sednaya military prison, Air Force Intelligence Mezzeh Airport Branch, and the Military Intelligence “Palestine” Branch 235, where we had previously documented acts of torture and summary executions. We met with victims, witnesses and civil society actors vigorously promoting human rights, justice and peace.
Apart from demanding accountability for the rights violations of the Assad regime, the resolution also recognizes the necessity of easing the sanctions against Syria, and welcomes the Syrian Constitutional Declaration signed [12] in March, which guarantees certain human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, NGOs have raised concerns over the powers granted [13] to the transitional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office after the ousting of Bashar Assad.
Recent weeks have seen renewed conflict [14] between supporters of the Assad regime and the current government. In March, clashes escalated to the targeted killing [15] of civilians, which the Council condemned, calling for a prompt investigation.
The Commission of Inquiry will provide updates on the developments in Syria to the Human Rights Council during the next three sessions of the Council. The next session is anticipated to take place in June.
From JURIST [16], April 6. Used with permission.
Note: There are efforts underway to bring war crimes charges [17] against Bashar Assad, who has taken refuge in Russia.
