Urgent legal statement”About the future 16,000 From students in As-Suwayda Governorate: An initiative and demand to save the academic year from politicization and collective punishment

Urgent legal statement
“About the future 16,000 From students in As-Suwayda Governorate: An initiative and demand to save the academic year from politicization and collective punishment”
Issued by: The National Council for Human Rights
the date: 19 April 2026
The National Council for Human Rights is following with great concern and responsibility the repercussions of the crisis in the preparatory and secondary school certificates exams in As-Suwayda Governorate, which threatens the fate of... 16,000 Male and female students (about 7,500 In secondary education with all its specializations, and 8,500 in preparatory education). The Council, based on its role as a human rights oversight body, emphasizes the following facts and legal obligations:

1. Education is a non-negotiable right:
   According to Art (26) Of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Art (13) From the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the right to education is a fundamental and fundamental right. The Council warns against trying to turn this right into a tool for political pressure or field blackmail under any pretext.
2. description “Collective punishment”:
   If he puts 16 A thousand students are faced with two choices, the darkest of which is bitter. Either accept unrecognized certificates (Under the legal responsibility of the Directorate of Education in Suwayda) Which destroys their future, or forced travel through unsafe roads to reach Damascus, which represents an unaccounted risk to the lives of civilians.. This procedure falls under the legal description of “Disguised collective punishment”This constitutes a grave violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relating to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of Conflict.
3. initiative “Civil delegation” And local guarantees:
   Based on direct communication and the request of many families of students in Suwayda, the Council is launching an initiative “Civil examination process” As the only legal and ethical solution. The concerned authorities in the Ministry of Education in Damascus and the Directorate of Education in Suwayda must, in coordination with the Spiritual Presidency (His Eminence Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri)Giving priority to national responsibility:
   • Accepting the arrival of civilian representatives from the Ministry of Education to supervise examinations within the centers of As-Suwayda Governorate.
   • Providing mutual guarantees from the spiritual leadership and the families to ensure the safety of the delegates and the examination process.
   This is the only way out that guarantees “The right to life and security” (Preventing arrest or targeting) and“Right to education” (Ensuring the validity and legitimacy of the certificate).
4. International action and prosecution:
   The National Council for Human Rights announces that it has actually begun preparing an integrated technical file to be submitted to UNESCO, UNICEF, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, and relevant international organizations.. This move aims to prosecute and hold full legal responsibility for any party that contributes to “Forced ignorance” For this generation, in line with “Safe Schools Declaration” And the Convention against Discrimination in Education.
   In conclusion:
   We assure everyone that educating the next generation and arming them with knowledge is the most powerful and lasting weapon for Suwayda and Syria, and it is more lasting than any military weapon or fleeting political gain..
   Mr. Qutaiba Qasim Al-Arab
   President of the National Council for Human Rights

Urgent Rights Statement
“The Future of 16,000 Students in Suwayda at Risk: An Initiative and Demand to Save the Academic Year from Politicization and Collective Punishment”
Issued by: The National Council for Human Rights
Date: April 19, 2026
The National Council for Human Rights follows with grave concern and a profound sense of responsibility the repercussions of the examination crisis for the Basic and Secondary Education Certificates in Suwayda Governorate, which threatens the fate of 16,000 students (approximately 7,500 in Secondary Education across all branches, and 8,500 in Basic Education). The Council, in its capacity as an international human rights monitoring body, affirms the following legal facts and obligations:

1. Education as a Non-Negotiable Right:
   Under Article (26) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article (13) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the right to education is an inherent and fundamental right. The Council warns against any attempt to transform this right into a tool for political pressure or field blackmail under any pretext.
2. Characterization of “Collective Punishment”:
   Placing 16,000 students before two bitter choices—either accepting unrecognized certificates (for which the Directorate of Education in Suwayda bears full legal responsibility) that jeopardize their future, or forced travel through unsafe routes to reach Damascus—represents an uncalculated risk to civilian lives. This measure falls under the legal characterization of “Disguised Collective Punishment,” which constitutes a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
3. The “Civilian Delegation” Initiative and Local Guarantees:
   Based on direct communication and the requests of many students’ families in Suwayda, the Council proposes the “Civilian Examination Process” initiative as the only legal and ethical solution. The relevant authorities at the Ministry of Education in Damascus and the Directorate of Education in Suwayda, in coordination with the Spiritual Leadership (His Eminence Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajari), must prioritize national responsibility by:
   • Accepting the deployment of civilian delegates from the Ministry of Education to supervise examinations within the centers of Suwayda Governorate.
   • Providing mutual guarantees from the Spiritual Leadership and local families to ensure the safety of the delegates and the integrity of the examination process.
   This exit strategy is the only one that guarantees the “Right to Life and Safety” (by preventing detention or targeting) and the “Right to Education” (by ensuring the validity and legitimacy of the certificates).
4. International Action and Accountability:
   The National Council for Human Rights announces that it has officially begun preparing a comprehensive technical file to be submitted to UNESCO, UNICEF، the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Independent International Commission of Inquiry, and relevant international organizations. This move aims to pursue and hold legally accountable any party contributing to the “Forced Ignorance” of this generation, in accordance with the “Safe Schools Declaration” and the Convention against Discrimination in Education.
   Conclusion:
   We emphasize to all parties that educating the next generation and arming them with knowledge is the strongest and most enduring weapon for Suwayda and Syria—far more lasting than any military weapon or fleeting political gain.
   Professor Qutaiba Qasim Al-Arab
   President of the National Council for Human Rights

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