The United Nations is urging Syrian interim authorities to intensify efforts to address human rights abuses, which continue despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called attention to disturbing reports of violations targeting minority groups and individuals linked to the former regime. This appeal precedes the anniversary of the Assad regime’s downfall.
Thameen Al-Kheethan, spokesperson for the OHCHR, acknowledged that while the interim authorities have initiated national commissions for transitional justice and missing persons, and set up investigative bodies for violence in regions such as the coast and Suweida, these measures are preliminary steps. The authorities also announced a draft law on transitional justice and have begun trials related to coastal violence. More details are available in the original report.
Persisting violations include arbitrary killings and abductions, notably impacting minorities such as Alawites, Druze, Christians, and Bedouins, with hate speech inciting further animosity. These violations have been carried out by various groups, including interim-authority forces, regime affiliates, and unidentified actors. The destruction of homes and property confiscations are also part of the alarming situation.
The security situation is further exacerbated by Israeli military operations, which reportedly conducted 350 airstrikes across Syria in 2024, causing civilian casualties. In July, Israeli airstrikes targeted Damascus and Sweida following clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized that accountability, peace, and security are essential for Syria’s transition. He called for addressing the root causes of these violations and ensuring victims’ rights to remedies. The interim government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been under scrutiny for alleged human rights violations, such as enforced disappearances documented in a November OHCHR report.
The rise in hate speech against minorities challenges the balance between freedom of expression and unlawful incitement, as outlined in Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The UN’s Rabat Plan of Action offers guidance on this issue. Experts suggest Syria’s stability hinges on fostering a national identity based on equality rather than ethnic or religious supremacy.