HRC41: Oral Statement during ID with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria

Agenda Item 4:ID with the COI on the Syrian Arab Republic

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

CSW remains concerned by the situation in Afrin, which has been occupied by Turkish forces for over a year.

Hundreds of thousands of residents have been forced from their homes since the occupation. 84 civilians have reportedly been killed, and estimates of those kidnapped range between 2,600 and 3,000. Turkish forces have occupied religious sites, and an estimated 22 Yazidi shrines have been destroyed.

CSW urges the Turkish authorities to ensure that minorities in the region are afforded adequate protection, and that those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice. We also call on Turkey to ensure that religious sites are respected, and that citizens of Afrin can exercise the right to freedom of religion or belief fully.

We are also concerned by the prevailing humanitarian situation in Idlib which has deteriorated severely since bombings resumed in February 2019.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian Network for Human Rights recently reported that 223 civilians were killed in Idlib between 20 April and 20 May this year. Reports have also emerged of the destruction of 19 hospitals and medical centres within 20 days, and the forced displacement of over 180,000 residents.

The situation of Christians in Idlib remains of particular concern. Many have had properties seized by the hardline Islamist coalition, Hay’at Tahrir a-Sham, and on 12 May 2019 four Christian teenagers and their teacher were killed when rebel militias fired artillery and missiles on the town of Al-Sqaylabiyeh in the governorate of Hama, which is mostly inhabited by Orthodox Christians.

CSW calls on all parties to the conflict in Idlib to ensure the protection of civilians, and to respect the rights of religious minorities in the region. We also call for the authorities to ensure the safe return of those displaced by the violence, and for the return of confiscated properties to their owners.

Finally, we call on all parties to seriously engage in the political process, and stress that it is essential that efforts are increased to combat sectarian politics that deliberately victimise Sunni Muslims, and in turn encourage the rise of extremism and terrorism.

Thank you