UN deputy envoy urges justice, inclusion one year after Assad fall
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – United Nations Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, praised on Monday the resilience of Syrians one year into the country’s political transition, calling for bold and sustained reforms to ensure a rights-based future after decades of conflict and repression.
In a statement marking the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, Rochdi said Syrians had “astonished the world” by overcoming years of authoritarian rule and seizing their first meaningful chance in generations to reshape their country.
She highlighted the determination shown by individuals and communities both inside Syria and in the diaspora, noting their “remarkable courage” despite hardship and uncertainty.
Rochdi cautioned, however, that the legacy of conflict and human rights violations continues to shape daily life. Syrians, she said, “still carry the weight of a painful past” even as they navigate the early stages of an “immensely complex” transition.
The envoy underscored the need to center the fate of the missing and the rights of their families in all national and international efforts, stressing that they have long been denied answers and dignity.
She also called for concrete assistance enabling refugees who wish to return to do so safely and in a manner that respects their rights.
Rochdi reaffirmed that the UN remains “unwavering” in its support for Syrians as they work to rebuild fractured communities and forge an inclusive future “where every person can stand equal in dignity, opportunity, and rights.”
She emphasized that this work must align with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the commitments reaffirmed in UN Security Council Resolution 2799.