UN expresses concern over reports of violations in Idlib, northwest Syria

Idlib – Sab'e Bahrat Roundabout near Governorate building – North Press
Idlib – Sab'e Bahrat Roundabout near Governorate building – North Press

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, expressed on Friday, her concern about reports over violations being committed in Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria.

“We have received disturbing reports about the continuation of arresting civilians in areas under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other armed groups,” Shamdasani said, during a press conference held on Friday.   

“We have also received disturbing reports about executions carried out by the de facto authorities, following a series of arrests and alleged trials,” she added, referring to the detention of the journalist Nour al-Shalo by HTS.

Al-Shalo was arrested in September for alleged moral and criminal offenses, according to Shamdasani, who warned that the woman could face death penalty.  

“The OHCHR has information indicating that the HTS carried out executions against detainees for their affiliation with other groups in the Syrian conflict,” Shamdasani added.

The international humanitarian law prohibits sentencing and carrying out executions without a prior judicial ruling that provides all necessary guarantees.  

Shamdasani indicated that executions carried out without meeting these conditions may amount to war crimes.  

Besides, she accused “the militants of continuing to impose rules and laws on civilians that fundamentally violate human rights that are protected by international law.”

“As defined in the right to life, liberty, and personal security, in addition to freedom of movement, expression, peaceful assembly, and association.”  

HTS (formerly Al-Nusra Front) had previously controlled Idlib militarily, since its formation on January 28, 2017. 

Areas under the control of HTS and Turkish-backed Syrian armed opposition groups in northwestern Syria witness violation regularly. 

In September, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria published its report investigating human rights violations from January to July of 2020.