The United Nations Independent Commission, which monitors grave violations of human rights in Syria, has warned of the escalation of violence, the collapse of the economy and the occurrence of a humanitarian catastrophe in the country.
The committee said, in a new report issued on Wednesday in Geneva, that the recent escalation in violence, the deterioration of the war economy and the devastating humanitarian crisis in the country have led to new levels of hardship and suffering for the civilian population that has suffered more than 10 years of conflict.
The committee added that more than half of the population, who have been displaced, more than 90% of them live in poverty now, which makes the Syrians stand on the edge of a new abyss, in light of the escalation of violence due to military skirmishes and bombing on the one hand, and kidnappings and killings away from conflict areas on the other. .
The head of the UN Commission Paulo Pinheiro said that although parts of Syria are no longer subject to active fighting, violence against civilians continues everywhere, in addition to targeted killings, illegal detention and torture, at a time when the people are stuck between the warring parties and are subjected to repression and exploitation by armed actors. .
He pointed out that the despairing economic situation is increasingly exacerbated by violations committed to achieve monetary gains, which includes taking hostages for ransom, extortion and seizure of property for confiscation or to harvest and sell crops, stressing that these violations are committed throughout the country, whether by government forces And other armed actors who control territory often target minorities.
The kidnapped child Fawaz al-Qutayfan from Daraa (communication sites)
He pointed out that Syria is facing the worst drought it has witnessed in decades, as inflation, which approached 140% at the beginning of the year, continues to get out of control, and that with the rise in the price of basic commodities, the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will contribute to increasing price pressure, and is likely to push more From Syrians to poverty.
Pinheiro called for a review of the implementation of the sanctions currently imposed on Damascus and their effects, especially in light of the deteriorating living conditions, and said that despite humanitarian exceptions, more efforts must be made to mitigate the unintended consequences on the daily lives of the civilian population as a result of excessive compliance.
The head of the UN committee warned that failure to review these sanctions could lead to more shortages and obstruct humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable population, which would have a devastating impact on everyone.
Noting the perpetration of war crimes and persistent patterns of crimes against humanity by parties to the conflict during the reporting period, it expressed concern over recent reports of systematic failures in investigations into possible war crimes and other incidents causing harm to civilians during 2018-2019 by the US-led coalition United.
This includes hundreds of reports of civilian casualties that were initially rejected by the US military, Pinheiro said, and reiterated his recommendation to Washington and all parties to conduct credible, independent and impartial investigations into incidents involving civilian casualties, in which its forces were involved, to ensure accountability for violations and ensure that they do not recur. Investigation results.
He explained that the committee had noticed a small but increasing return by member states of their citizens detained in the notorious Al-Hol and Al-Roj camps in northeastern Syria, noting that about 60,000 detainees, including 40,000 children, are still illegally detained in the camps in appalling conditions, including 7,800 Foreigner.
Pinheiro pointed out that the residents of the camps live in conditions that amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and in constant danger of being injured, killed or trafficked, noting that with the escalation of tension in those camps, more than 90 murders and 40 attempted murders occurred in Al-Hol camp alone. last year.
The United Nations Committee on the Monitoring of Gross Violations of Human Rights has again called on member states to return their citizens, women and children, from the camps.
It is noteworthy that this committee will present its report to the Human Rights Council on March 18, during its session currently being held in Geneva.