Latest UN Human Rights Council report stresses the urgent need to protect Syria's vulnerable civilians

Media Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

September 12, 2013

The UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry released its latest report today detailing the widespread, systematic, and unlawful attacks perpetrated by the Syrian regime against the civilian population of Syria.

The Commission’s latest findings document the horrific depths to the Syrian regime is prepared to go to maintain power. As the Commission notes, the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime against the civilian population—which include the shelling of villages, the burning of civilian property, sniper attacks, torture, and systematic executions—are “institutionalized” and “committed as a matter of policy”. These acts constitute crimes against humanity, and they cannot be allowed to continue.

As the UN Security Council explores how to place Syria’s dangerous chemical weapons under international control, the international community must not lose sight of the urgent need both to protect Syria’s civilians and to hold perpetrators of war crimes to account.

“The Syrian Coalition is firmly committed to ensuring that those responsible for war crimes are brought to justice, in accordance with international law”, stated Dr. Najib Ghadbian. “We will take all necessary measures to ensure that crimes committed by opposition forces are held accountable, and call upon the international community to ensure that crimes against humanity do not go unpunished.”

The Syrian Coalition therefore reiterates its call on the UN Security Council to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court. International action is urgently needed to end the culture of impunity which exists in Syria today and to force the Syrian regime to accept the need for a political solution, in complete accordance with the Geneva Communiqué of June 2012.