Syria’s transition depends on justice for everyone, the UN Human Rights Council has heard

Delivering their latest updates, the members UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria praised the Government and people for the significant achievements achieved since the fall of the Assad regime almost two years ago, including the establishment of a legislative body and a constitutional court.

Difficult exam

They note the inherent difficulties in building institutions that respect human rights while addressing the legacy of past atrocities and ensuring they do not happen again.

The mandate of the council’s independent investigators is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011, when the country’s brutal civil conflict took hold during the years of Assad’s dictatorship.

“Comprehensively addressing past and recent violence is an important step in reconciliation,” said Commissioner Monia Ammar, referred to violence in coastal and western Syria in early 2025, in Sweida in July 2025, and following hostilities in January with the Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

“Hundreds of people are still reported missinghe added.

Syria’s transition comes after more than a decade of civil war and systematic violations. Investigators welcomed the ongoing engagement with authorities but warned that the limited number of trials so far was not enough to deliver justice.

They highlight the significant human rights challenges facing the country, primarily resulting from Israeli military activities, inadequate accountability, fragile civil space, the legacy of political and economic conflict, adverse gender-based impacts, ongoing instability in Sweida and post-conflict situations including detention in the northeastern region.

Other concerns include reports of deaths in custody, arrests of activists, persistent hate speech and online harassment, as well as threats of violence against women, with a particular focus on female activists.

Israeli military presence

Independent investigators said Israeli military activity in Syrian territory “increasingly sustained and entrenched”. The operations carried out included ground attacks, patrols, raids and searches which triggered evacuations.

In September, Israeli forces have detained 49 people, including two children, in Syria, some of whom are being held incommunicado.

“We are very concerned about Israel’s violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Syria. which may constitute a war crime,” said Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin.

The notorious detention camp

The briefing also discussed the situation in northeastern Syria. The Commission is investigating alleged violations during January hostilities involving the SDF and Government forces, incl reported the murder of a prisoner.

Deteriorating conditions in detention camps holding people suspected of having links to ISIS, also known as Da’esh, have also been addressed.

The Commission called again immediate closure of Al Rawj camp – home to more than 2,000 people, mostly women and children – and all foreign nationals who were there will be repatriated.

More than 100 foreign children remain in detention in the northeast region, some of whom have been detained since 2019.

The Commission also expressed deep concern over this matter The “mass forced transfer” earlier this year of more than 5,700 men and boys to Iraq by United States forces. The group reportedly represents more than 60 countries, including Syrians.

International support is essential

In conclusion, said the UN Commission Human Rights Council and the international community has an important role to play in supporting Syria’s efforts to strengthen respect for human rights.

“Syria can fulfill the aspirations of its people if it succeeds in breaking the legacy of past violence and has a strong basis for preventing its recurrence based on respect for human rights.,” said Ms. Ammar, underscoring her commitment to supporting the country through its transition.

Independent International Commission of Inquiry into the Syrian Arab Republic appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council following unrest that began in March 2011, leading to more than a decade of war.

Independent commissioners are not UN staff and do not receive salaries for their work.

Listen again to the interview with Sofia Candeias, from the UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, who spoke with UN News about transitional justice in Syria: