Geneva, Sept. 8 (SANA) Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, a member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria sss n of Inquiry on Syria, said the country was undergoing a significant transformation despite immense challenges.
Addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council, she cited the establishment of the People’s Assembly, the return of millions of Syrians and accelerating reconstruction, as well as significant progress following the Syrian Democratic Forces’ announcement of its dissolution and the completion of its integration into state forces.
“We commend Syria for these and many other achievements,” Ní Aoláin said, while acknowledging the challenges of building legitimate and accountable institutions, addressing the legacy of atrocities and ensuring non-recurrence.
She welcomed the renewal of the Commission’s core investigative mandate and thanked the Syrian government for ensuring access.
Ní Aoláin said the Commission had conducted regular missions since March to Damascus, Damascus Countryside, Quneitra, Daraa, Sweida, Aleppo, Homs, Raqqa and Hasakah.
She added that the Commission had strengthened its engagement with authorities to provide advice and follow up on the implementation of its recommendations, while maintaining close contact with victims, witnesses and civil society.
Accountability central to transitional justice
Ní Aoláin stressed that accountability was central to a successful transitional justice process, emphasizing that all perpetrators of violations must be held equally accountable.
She warned that selective accountability could breach international legal obligations, renew grievances and undermine reconciliation, while underscoring the importance of due process and fair-trial guarantees.
Israeli violations must cease
Ní Aoláin expressed deep concern over continuing Israeli attacks, saying the Commission had visited Quneitra and Daraa and met communities affected by incursions, raids, searches, temporary checkpoints and fixed military infrastructure.
She said Israeli forces had interrogated and detained hundreds of residents, including minors. By June 2026, the Commission had identified 49 people, including two children, detained by Israeli forces on Syrian territory and believed to have been transferred across the Syrian border.
Such acts could amount to war crimes, Ní Aoláin warned.
The Commission agreed with the UN secretary-general that violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity were unacceptable and must cease.
The UN Human Rights Council established the Commission in August 2011 to investigate violations of international human rights law committed in Syria since March of that year. It produced more than 30 reports between 2011 and 2025 and was granted access to Syria in December 2024 for the first time since beginning its work.
R.D/ABD
