On July 5, 2024, during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, a side event on human rights in Syria was held in Room XXV at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. This initiative was organized by the Zagros Center for Human Rights in collaboration with Maloca International. The primary objective of this event was to highlight human rights violations in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, with a particular focus on areas controlled by the opposition and occupied by Turkey.
The meeting brought together a diverse panel of speakers, including human rights activists and representatives of international organizations. Each speaker provided unique insights into the systematic human rights violations in Syria. The event was moderated by Mr. Leonardo R. Perez, who holds a PhD in International Studies from IHEID and is an associate researcher at the Pierre du Bois Foundation for Current History.
Key Points of the Interventions:
- Mrs. Samira Mohamad described the difficult living conditions in opposition-controlled areas, emphasizing the lack of access to essential needs and the abuses perpetrated by armed groups and Turkish forces.
- Mr. Juan Enalo discussed the legal challenges and obstacles local populations face in obtaining justice and protection. He called for strengthening international mechanisms to monitor and punish human rights violations.
- Mr. Aziz Kalo highlighted the specific suffering of the Yazidi community, mentioning the risks of genocide and the importance of protecting ethnic and religious minorities in Syria.
- Mr. Rami Abdulrahman, though physically absent, sent a poignant speech read by the organizers, detailing the human rights violations documented by his organization and advocating for a stronger international response.
- Mr. Izz Adin Saleh, via video, shared his organization’s efforts to support victims and document atrocities, while underscoring the need for increased international solidarity.
The interventions highlighted the various forms of human rights violations in Syria, including the precarious living conditions in opposition-controlled areas, abuses by armed groups and Turkish forces, and the lack of access to essential needs such as food, water, medical care, and education. The speakers also called on the international community to intensify efforts to alleviate the suffering of Syrians and to pressure the responsible parties for these violations.
