DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria called on the Syrian government on Tuesday to care for and positively engage with the aspirations and legitimate rights of Syrians as a solution to end the conflict.
Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, stated, “Before Syria plunges deeper into escalating violence and economic decline, we call on the key actors to cease attacks on civilians and respond to their dire needs, and urge the government in Damascus to take heed and to respond positively to Syrians’ legitimate aspirations and rights as key to ending the conflict.”
The committee urged states to review unilateral coercive measures and their impact on Syrians and humanitarian actors.
The committee stated, the constructive measures adopted to alleviate sanctions after the earthquake should remain in place. The committee also calls for an urgent review of the humanitarian assistance delivery process and its effectiveness, considering the existing urgent needs.
It addressed the increased conflict in Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria, in recent weeks, which has led to the displacement of thousands, as well as widespread demonstrations calling for economic, social, civil, and political rights in areas under the control of the Syrian government.
Since mid-August, the areas of northwestern Syria have witnessed a military escalation and mutual shelling between the government forces supported by Russia, and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front), resulting in the killing and injury of dozens from both sides, amid fears of a new military operation by the government in the region.
Insecurity state in Syria makes the safe return of Syrian refugees unlikely, according to the statement.
The committee documented specific cases of returning Syrian refugees from neighboring countries who have been subjected to mistreatment by Syrian security forces. Some have been subjected to blackmail for their release, while others have been arrested by security agencies.
The committee accused the parties to the conflict in Syria of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by randomly detaining, torturing, and executing civilians and subjecting them to enforced disappearance in areas under the control of those parties.
It renewed its call for the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals in Syria and for independent monitors to have access to all places of detention.
In conclusion, the committee commended the countries that have since January repatriated over 2,000 women and children from families affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) present in camps in northern and eastern Syria.
It also called on those countries to “We also call on States to bring home male adult citizens detained in northeast Syria, and to hold alleged perpetrators among them accountable for Da’esh war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in proceedings compliant with fair trial standards.”
Tens of thousands of women and children of ISIS families from about 60 countries are still in the two dangerous camps of Hawl and Roj within areas held by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in northeast Syria.