The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Syria has urged the newly formed Syrian government to take immediate action to safeguard mass grave sites and preserve crucial documentation. This announcement comes after the CoI’s recent visit to former prisons and detention centres, including the infamous Sednaya and Military Intelligence Branch 235 prisons, marking their first on-ground evaluation since the Syrian conflict began in 2011. The visit highlighted significant challenges, such as the destruction and removal of evidence, which are critical for tracing missing persons and bringing justice to the victims’ families.
The CoI has called for the establishment of a specialized unit to oversee the protection and conservation of these mass grave sites and related records. This move aims to prevent any premature actions that could jeopardize forensic investigations. Many organizations and human rights bodies have supported this initiative, offering their expertise to ensure the integrity of evidence and to assist victims’ families. The CoI also reaffirmed its willingness to aid Syria during this pivotal moment in its history.
The findings from the CoI’s visit to these detention centers are a step towards accountability for human rights abuses in Syria. Nonetheless, the challenges in safeguarding evidence are significant and must be addressed to hold perpetrators accountable. The CoI underscores the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to transitional justice in the country, one that aligns with international human rights laws and focuses on victims’ needs. For more on this topic, visit the UN OHCHR press release.
This call to action comes against the backdrop of claims highlighting the gravity of the situation, such as a statement by the head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force that at least 100,000 bodies have been interred in mass graves near Damascus since the onset of the conflict in 2011. The CoI, established by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, continues to document human rights violations and war crimes committed by all factions involved in the Syrian conflict.
In a parallel statement, over 30 human rights experts have emphasized the necessity of cohesive international support to foster democratic reconstruction and uphold human rights in Syria, post-Assad regime. For more insights, see the statement from these experts on this OHCHR release.