Accountability Key to Syria's Future

This statement was delivered by Human Rights Watch at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) during an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic held on March 18, 2025.

Mr. President,

Human Rights Watch thanks the Commission of Inquiry for its latest report, which catalogues the extensive human rights challenges facing Syria.

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government in December has created a momentous opportunity for Syria to break with decades of repression and forge a better future.

A better future for Syria, rooted in respect for human rights for all, requires addressing and ensuring meaningful, inclusive and comprehensive accountability for decades of grave human rights violations by the al-Assad government, as well as international crimes committed by all parties to the conflict.

The transitional authorities should ensure the urgent collection and safeguarding of evidence, including from mass grave sites and government records and archives, and should fully coordinate and cooperate with UN mechanisms and institutions in this regard, including the COI and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM).

They should ensure accountability not only for the egregious crimes committed against the Syrian people by the former Government, but also those committed by other armed groups and forces, including recent violence and killings in the coastal region and in Homs and Hama governorates.

While further investigations are required into these recent incidents, evidence has emerged of extrajudicial executions, looting, and indiscriminate shooting into homes and villages, and widespread mistreatment and outrages on personal dignity, including sectarian rhetoric.

Mr. President,

As noted by the Commission in its report,[1] ensuring expansion of civic space in Syria is critical to efforts to rebuild, and in this regard we appeal to the authorities to scrap onerous registration and operational requirements, and facilitate humanitarian access across the country.

Amid the severe economic and humanitarian challenges and ongoing mass displacement, general sanctions imposed by a number of countries are a major obstacle to restoring essential services such as health care, water, electricity, and education. General and sectoral sanctions that harm civilians should immediately be lifted.

Thank you.