Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Divine Olomo

Thank you, Madame President.

CSW shares the Commission of Inquiry’s (COI’s) concerns regarding the deepening economic crisis in Syria, and the violations taking place through airstrikes, killings, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, and torture.

The plight of Syria’s Christians exemplifies ongoing issues of concern.  An estimated 650,000 have fled the country, with many others displaced internally. Cities once home to large Christian communities now have dwindling populations.

CSW remains deeply saddened by the 2019 murder of Susanne Der Krykor, a Syrian Christian, who was raped, tortured, and stoned. Her family still awaits justice. Her case is illustrative of the bitter reality of the impunity surrounding the targeting of Syria’s Christian community.

We urge the Syrian government to condemn attacks, kidnappings, and killings of Christians and to investigate and prosecute those responsible, ensuring perpetrators no longer enjoy impunity.

We also concur with the COI’s observation that Syria does not currently provide the necessary safe and stable conditions for the return of refugees or IDPs.

In 2020 CSW expressed concerns regarding the military offensive by Russia and Syria in the north-western province of Idlib. Although this has ended, the security situation remains unstable and international aid organisations have been unable to operate sufficiently in the Idlib region.

We urge all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and ensure that no further attacks on Syrian civilians occur, and call on the international community to support a political solution based on an inclusive Syrian identity, equal citizenship and rule of law.

Thank you.