HRC50: Oral statement during ID with the COI on Syria

Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (oral update)

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW thanks the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Syrian Arab Republic for its update and urges the Council to continue its support for the mandate.

The situation in Syria remains highly volatile, and there is an urgent need for a credible and effective ceasefire that protects civilians and combats enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.

Particularly concerning is the situation in Afrin, where Islamist militias loyal to Turkey have implemented an Islamic system, enforcing Sharia law and education.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 30 individuals were kidnapped or arbitrarily arrested by Islamist groups in April 2022 alone.[1]

The Yazidi community is particularly vulnerable, and continues to face egregious violations, including rape, assassination, kidnapping for ransom, confiscation of property and desecration of cemeteries and places of worship.

We urge Turkey to restrain the Islamist groups responsible for these violations, and to ensure that the sanctity of religious and cultural locations and objects is respected.

We also urge Member States to take steps to ensure the safe return of Yazidis to their homes in Afrin, holding Syria, Turkey and all non-state actors to account for violations, including against the Yazidis and other religious and belief groups.

We call on Syria to establish a nationwide ceasefire that prioritises the protection of civilians and precludes enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, and urge all parties to the conflict to cooperate with the COI and other UN mechanisms to secure a political solution based on an inclusive Syrian identity, rule of law, human rights and accountability.

Thank you.

[1] Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Olive Branch” areas in April 2022”, 5 May 2022, https://www.syriahr.com/en/250201/