UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on violence in Suweida, Syria

“Immediate steps need to be taken to ensure the protection of people in Suweida and across Syria.The bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,” said UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Shamdasani.

“Credible reports that our Office has received indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property and looting of homes in the southern city of Suweida. Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, as well as other armed elements from the area, including Druze and Bedouins,” Shamdasani told reporters at the UN bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva.

This has led to a mass displacement of the population in the predominantly Druze governorate.

“Syria's interim authorities must ensure independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations. All those responsible must be held to account in accordance with international standards, and incitement to violence and hate speech, both online and offline, must also be stopped,” she added. “It is crucial that immediate steps are taken to prevent recurrence of such violence. Vengeance is clearly not the answer.”

“In one incident, on 15 July, we have documented the unlawful killing of at least 13 people when armed individuals affiliated with the interim authorities deliberately opened fire at a family gathering. On the same day, they reportedly summarily executed six men near their homes in two separate incidents. We have also documented the public humiliation of a Druze man, including the forcible shaving of his moustache, which is an important cultural symbol for the Druze community,” the spokesperson stated.

The Office has received accounts of distressed Syrians who are living in fear for their lives and those of their loved ones. The deployment of State security forces should bring safety and protection, not add to the fear and violence.

The UN Human Rights Chief also raised concerns regarding reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s airstrikes on Suweida, Daraa and in the centre of Damascus. “Attacks such as the one on Damascus on Wednesday pose great risks to civilians and civilian objects. Such attacks must cease,” Shamdasani said.

The Office said impartial and thorough investigations into the recent violence would also strengthen the ongoing wider transitional justice process to ensure accountability for past violations and abuses.

“Syrians deserve truth, accountability, and guarantees that such violations will not be repeated,” Shamdasani said.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani: + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org

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