HRC53: Oral statement on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

Item 4:ID with the Commission of Inquiry on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Ellis Heasley

Thank you Mr President,

CSW thanks the Commission of Inquiry for its update and continuing work on Syria’s human rights and humanitarian crisis.

We are particularly concerned by an increase in xenophobia towards Syrian refugees in Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquakes of February 2023.

This was especially evident in the campaigns during the months leading up to the presidential elections in May. We call on the Turkish government to urgently address rising racism and attacks targeting refugees.

While we note the Assad regime’s military victory, we urge the international community to ensure Syria’s president is not given free rein to commit further violence and violations against his citizens, and ultimately, that he is held to account for his crimes.

We reiterate our call for the Syrian government to release all political prisoners and institute a nationwide ceasefire that prioritises the protection of civilians.

We also continue to 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.

Finally, we welcome news of the rescue of six Yazidi women on 3 June in Syria, and congratulate the Kurdistan Regional Government for its assistance in reuniting them with their families.

We call upon the Syrian and Turkish governments to fully cooperate with the KRG in its efforts to find and rescue all Yazidi victims who remain missing.

Thank you.