CIVICUS welcomes with horror the detailed report of the Commission and deplores once more the dire situation of the Syrian People. We are shocked about the lethargy of the International Community when innocent civilians in Syria are living through unspeakable horror and when the Security Council, deadlocked by vetoes or threats of vetoes, has been powerless to step in and alter this landscape of destruction and bloodshed.
We particularly deplore the total lack of protection of civilians, human rights defenders and journalists who are merciless targeted as enemies from all combating parties, resulting in the most egregious atrocities. Arbitrary detention, coupled with torture and often death are rampant and our repeated calls for the release of world known journalist and human rights defender Mazen Darwich and his colleagues have gone unheard.
But we note and welcome the increased importance given in the report to the request for accountability and identification of all alleged perpetrators. Ironically, the increase of the extremist power of ISIS in the region could help to bring the veto powers closer together again in their joint pursuit to fight this abnormality of any human behaviour.
While the world is speculating whether you would release today the names and faces of perpetrators, CIVICUS supports your first time recommendation that the United Nations General Assembly adopt a measure calling on the Security Council to press for accountability of all perpetrators in the conflict.
Given the Security Council’s reticence to refer Syria to the ICC and given the serious crimes committed, we would also support that the Security Council consider a special tribunal devoted to Syria, and minor perpetrators to be judged in their willing home countries.
As all attempts for a political solution have failed so far, we see merit in the latest bottom up and step –by – step approach of SG’s Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura to focus on localized freeze of hostilities, all the more as it could include local citizens and CS. Still to be addressed needs to be a larger framework based on the Geneva Communjuqué and the involvement of all actors, including the Syrian Government.
CIVICUS thanks the CoI for leading in the direction of a transition period between complete chaos and total impunity to a search for justice, and we call on the Council to heed all recommendations.