Turk demands the withdrawal of international sanctions and affirms that the country is going through “an important moment”, with “tremendous challenges and risks”
Jan. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stressed this Wednesday during a “historic” visit to Syria that transitional justice is “crucial” to consolidate progress in the country after the fall of the Bashar al-Al regime. Assad following an offensive launched by jihadists and rebels, who have appointed new interim authorities after the capture of Damascus.
“Transitional justice is crucial for Syria’s progress. Its objective is to recognize victims, increase people’s trust in state institutions, reinforce respect for human rights and promote the rule of law,” said Turk. .
“Revenge and revenge are never the answer. Instead, there needs to be a process of healing, truth-telling and reconciliation fully controlled by the country,” said Turk, who has become the country’s first leader. of the UN Human Rights office to visit Syria.
In this sense, he stressed that his office “is prepared to support transitional justice initiatives and all other rule of law reforms” undertaken by the new authorities. “We know that processes of this type have repeatedly demonstrated that they can help address discrepancies and divisions with a firm focus on the suffering of victims,” he argued.
Turk has also revealed that the ‘de facto’ leader of Syria and head of the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), Ahmed Hussein al Shara, known as Abu Mohamed al Golani, has conveyed to him “the importance of respect for Human Rights of all Syrians and all components of Syrian society, as well as working for healing, building trust and social cohesion, and reforming institutions.
“We have discussed the opportunities and challenges that await this new Syria. Human Rights must be at the center so that everyone can live free and with equal dignity and rights,” he maintained.
He has also been “impressed” by “the bravery, strength and resilience” of the people he has met, especially “given the atrocities and trauma they have experienced over the years.” “It has been a very emotional experience listening to their pain,” he said.
Turk recalled that his office has been documenting “the extremely serious situation of Human Rights” for fourteen years – since the outbreak of war in 2011 due to the repression of pro-democratic protests within the framework of the ‘Arab Spring’. and calling for “accountability” to those responsible for violations during the Al Assad regime.
In this way, he pointed out that during his visit he met with various victims, including a soldier imprisoned in the Sednaya prison after supposedly deserting the Army, and noted that “thousands of people have died in prison in the country” under the mandate of Al Assad, who came to power in 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez al Assad, who was president since 1971.
“I have also visited the Damascus residential neighborhood of Jobar, which now resembles what can only be described as an apocalyptic landscape. Not a single building in the area was spared from bombing in wave after wave of attacks. It is inconceivable that these mass murders and destruction took place,” said Turk, who has also denounced the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, which “says a lot about the extreme brutality of the old regime’s tactics.”
“MUCH LEFT TO DO”
In this context, Turk has extolled that “despite the misery caused” to civilians, the victims with whom he has met “have also expressed their hope for the future.” “In Damascus I have witnessed how people were busy in their daily lives. People shopping in the markets. Drinking coffee. Visiting places of worship. Children playing in the street,” he listed.
However, he reiterated that “there is much left to do” and added that the country is going through “an important moment”, with “tremendous challenges and risks.” “The people of Syria need every bit of support they can get to rebuild a country that works for all Syrians,” he said, adding that his office “will continue to support inclusive processes that are nationally owned and driven.” .
“There are still very real threats to the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Syria, which must be rigorously respected. Conflicts and hostilities must end,” he pointed out, in the midst of the offensive launched by rebels supported by Turkey against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the Kurdish militia People’s Protection Units (YPG), in the Kurdish-controlled areas in the north and northeast of the country.
For this reason, he stressed that “the challenges are immense”, including the task of “saving lives.” “Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost and much of the country is in ruins. 90 percent of the population is in poverty, the health system is in crisis and many schools are closed. Millions of people remain displaced internally and outside the country,” he recalled.
“The rights to food, health, education and housing are fundamental rights and collective and concerted efforts must be made to guarantee them. When the international community considers the issue of sanctions, it will be essential to keep in mind the impact they have on lives of the Syrian people. Therefore, I ask that the sectoral sanctions be urgently reconsidered with a view to lifting them,” he defended.
“To move forward, it is essential to address the mistakes made by all actors in Syria over the last five decades. Those responsible for serious human rights violations and crimes must be held accountable,” said Turk, who elaborated that “over the years cases of the most serious war crimes and even crimes against humanity have been documented during the conflict.
Along these lines, he has argued that “forced disappearances, torture and the use of chemical weapons, among other atrocious crimes, must be thoroughly investigated,” before pointing out that, after that, “justice must be administered in a fair and impartial manner.” . “I have repeatedly heard from the Syrians themselves saying that this is what they want,” said the UN Human Rights chief, who has assured that his office will work “in a complementary manner” through various mechanisms.
Turk has further noted that “women and girls face significant disparities in the country.” “If you analyze the data, it is clear that gender inequalities limit access to health care, education and safe housing,” he declared, while attesting that “rebuilding a Syria that works for all its citizens, with equal dignity and without discrimination, will be fundamental to their success and stability”.
“This is a defining moment for Syria after decades of repression. My greatest hope is that all Syrians can prosper together, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity, and build a common future,” Turk added.
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