Syria: Urgent Call for Justice, Accountability, and an Inclusive Political Transition - Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

The undersigned organisations stand in solidarity with the Syrian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice, as an opportunity for Syria to break free from decades of oppressive rule. We condemn the grave human rights violations that have defined the Syrian conflict, including enforced disappearances, systemic oppression, forced displacement, and inhumane conditions in regime operated prisons.

The international community, including European Member States, must support a Syrian led political transition, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (Resolution 2254), which calls for ensuring humanitarian access throughout the country, to cease any attacks on civilians, and to comply with international law. The Resolution also stresses the importance of confidence-building measures, safe voluntary return of refugees, and rehabilitation of affected areas, while demanding accountability for human rights violations and efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts by groups such as ISIL.

Furthermore, we call on all international actors such as Israel and Türkiye to respect Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and withhold from any action that could cause additional human suffering, amidst an already fragile situation.

The undersigned organisations call for robust international mechanisms to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable, including those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, barrel bombs, torture, enforced disappearances, and extermination. We also call for a comprehensive approach to transitional justice that extends beyond 2011 to cover the full period of Assad’s regime. Reconciliation must fully address the impact of Assad’s rule and confront these systemic injustices in order to achieve justice for the Syrian people.

A sustainable political solution must ensure the participation of Syria’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities. The voices of all Syrians must be represented to achieve a peaceful resolution that upholds territorial integrity and ensures lasting stability. A whole-of-Syria approach must be adopted, addressing the regional fragmentation resulting from decades of conflict.

The normalisation of ties with any political actor in Syria must remain conditional to their adherence to human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. There can be no normalisation without meaningful progress toward a political resolution that reflects the aspirations of all Syrians.

In this light, the undersigned organisations urge the EU and its Member States to:

1. Support a Syrian-led inclusive political transition in line with Resolution 2254. This includes ensuring accountability for crimes committed during the conflict, upholding international human rights law, and protecting the rights and safety of Syrians, both within Syria and in diaspora communities.

2. Reverse any decisions suspending asylum applications for Syrians that amidst a highly volatile situation risks placing people in need of protection in situations of protracted limbo, and observe the situation in Syria carefully aiming to protect refugees fleeing violence by guaranteeing access to a fair asylum process and providing clarity and safety for Syrians seeking refuge.

3. Call on all international actors to respect Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with international law. Actions that undermine unity, whether by state or non-state actors, must end to safeguard Syria’s stability and future.

4. Urgently coordinate and scale up with international community multilateral efforts to address Syria’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Support for over 5.6 million refugees, millions of internally displaced persons, and economic recovery is essential to alleviating suffering and ensuring the foundation for lasting peace.

5. Support access for of independent NGOs by urging local authorities to enable their work in promoting human and social rights, which is essential for accountability and long-term stability in Syria.

The Syrian people deserve justice, freedom, and an inclusive democratic political future. The time to act is now.

The undersigned:

1. Al Mezan

2. Andalus institute for tolerance – AITAS

3. ARCI

4. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies – CIHRS

5. CNCD-11.11.11

6. Egyptian Human Rights Forum – EHRF

7. EuroMed Rights – EMR

8. Fédération Internationale des droits humains – FIDH

9. Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

10. Greek Council for Refugees