Statement on the report of the international investigation committee (A/HRC/61/CRP.7) Concerning violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Suwayda

Statement on the report of the international investigation committee (A/HRC/61/CRP.7) Concerning violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Suwayda
Issued by the National Council for Human Rights - Syria

1. Welcome and concern (The legal starting point)
   The National Council for Human Rights welcomes the issuance of the report of the International Investigation Committee (A/HRC/61/CRP.7) As a historical condemnation document documenting the crimes committed in Suwayda. The Council expresses its deep concern about the horrific bloody toll that has reached 1,707 Deaths in the local Druze community (Between them 1,190 Men, 99 women, 22 boys, and 31 girls), and exodus 200,000 From the western countryside. The smaller local Bedouin community has also witnessed confirmed deaths 53 One man, 9 women, 5 boys, and 3 girls, and more than one person was displaced 4,500. It was also reported that at least two people were killed 225 Members of government forces, many of whom were killed in Israeli air strikes in July. The Council notes that the committee conducted more than... 400 An interview and several visits only, so the real numbers are much larger and exceed 5,000 One person was killed, according to local sources, which places the international community before its legal and moral responsibilities to stop the policy of impunity.
2. Closing the legal loophole: “Description of genocide”
   While the Council adopts the Committee’s descriptions of “War crimes and crimes against humanity” committed by government forces and affiliated groups, we stress that the crimes were manifested in systematic killing, targeting civilians in their homes and the National Hospital, arbitrary detention of women, and bombing of the Church of the Cross and religious shrines.. The Council confirms that the methodology used in the third wave (burn 35 Village and prevent return 155 One thousand displaced people) Reflects a premeditated intention that rises to “The crime of genocide” (Genocide) In accordance with the 1948 Convention, which requires deepening international investigations.
3. Integrity in documentation (Violations of local groups)
   Based on the principle “Justice is indivisible”According to the report, the Council refers to violations committed by local armed groups (Druze) Against the Bedouin component and their displacement, including killing and mutilation of corpses. We emphasize that these actions, even if they came as a reaction in a moment of chaos (As a second wave)War crimes remain that require accountability to prevent sectarian strife.
4. Legal shortcomings and accounting obstacles
   The Council confirms that the current Syrian legal system suffers from a structural deficiency that prevents the prosecution of leaders due to immunity laws. It is enough to pursue “Items” And leave “Planners” It is a misleading of justice, which makes resorting to mechanisms “Universal jurisdiction” It is an absolute necessity to compensate for the absence of an independent national judiciary.
5. Analysis of the field and political reality (Conclusion)
   The Council believes that the scene in Suwayda is becoming more complex as a result of the sharp division in visions. While some see international intervention (Air or legal) A lifeline to protect against genocide, others see it as a threat to national sovereignty
   • The position on reconciliation: We don't see any horizon for “National reconciliations” Real according to the description of reality in light of the presence of this authority and its security extremism, and the absence of international guarantees that crimes will not be repeated.
   • Responsibility of authority: The Syrian authority is primarily responsible for tearing apart the national fabric across the country “Militarization of local conflicts”.
   • Obstructed horizon: There is no stability in Syria as long as the approach remains “Security above rights” He is the ruler, and in light of the intentional spread of extremist ideology to strike at moderation, and in light of the real absence of a transitional justice project and a democratic civil state, and the fact that reality remains under the umbrella of an unreliable authority that has no covenant..
   Mr. Qutaiba Qasim Al-Arab
   President of the National Council for Human Rights

Statement on the Independent International Commission of Inquiry Report (A/HRC/61/CRP.7) Regarding Human Rights Violations and International Humanitarian Law in Suwayda
Issued by the National Council for Human Rights – Syria

1. Welcome and Concern (The Human Rights Perspective)
   The National Council for Human Rights welcomes the issuance of the report by the International Commission of Inquiry (A/HRC/61/CRP.7) as a historic document of condemnation documenting the crimes committed in Suwayda. The Council expresses its profound concern regarding the horrifying death toll, which reached 1,707 fatalities within the local Druze community (including 1,190 men, 99 women, 22 boys, and 31 girls), alongside the displacement of 200,000 people from the western countryside. The smaller local Bedouin community also suffered fatalities, with the confirmed deaths of 53 men, 9 women, 5 boys, and 3 girls, and the displacement of over 4,500 people. Furthermore, at least 225 members of the government forces were reported killed, many of whom fell during Israeli airstrikes in July. The Council notes that the Commission conducted only over 400 interviews and a few visits; therefore, the actual numbers are significantly higher, exceeding 5,000 deaths according to local sources. This places the international community before its legal and moral responsibilities to end the policy of impunity.
2. Addressing the Legal Gap: “Characterization of Genocide”
   While the Council adopts the Commission’s characterization of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” committed by government forces and affiliated tribal militias, we emphasize that these crimes were manifested through systematic killings, targeting civilians in their homes and at the National Hospital, the arbitrary detention of women, and the shelling of the Church of the Cross and religious shrines. The Council asserts that the methodology employed in the third wave (burning 35 villages and preventing the return of 155,000 displaced persons) reflects a premeditated intent that rises to the level of the “Crime of Genocide” under the 1948 Convention, necessitating deeper international investigations.
3. Integrity in Documentation (Violations by Local Groups)
   Based on the principle that “Justice is Indivisible,” and in accordance with the report, the Council notes the violations committed by local armed groups (Druze) against the Bedouin community and their displacement, including killings and the desecration of bodies. We affirm that these acts, even if they occurred as a reaction during a moment of chaos (as a second wave), remain War Crimes necessitating accountability to block the path to sectarian strife.
4. Legal Deficiencies and Obstacles to Accountability
   The Council affirms that the current Syrian legal system suffers from structural deficiencies that prevent the prosecution of leaders due to immunity laws. Settling for the prosecution of “lower-level elements” while sparing the “planners” is a distortion of justice. In light of the absence of an independent national judiciary, resorting to “Universal Jurisdiction” mechanisms becomes an absolute necessity.
5. Analysis of Field and Political Reality (Conclusion)
   The Council observes that the situation in Suwayda is becoming increasingly complex due to a sharp division in perspectives; while some view international intervention (aerial or legal) as a lifeline for protection against genocide, others see it as a threat to national sovereignty.
   • Stance on Reconciliation: We see no prospect for genuine “National Reconciliations” according to the current reality, given the presence of this authority and its security extremism, and the absence of international guarantees against the recurrence of crimes.
   • Responsibility of the Authority: The Syrian authority bears primary responsibility for tearing the national fabric by “militarizing local disputes.”
   • Deadlock of the Horizon: No stability is possible in Syria as long as the doctrine of “Security over Rights” remains the ruling principle, alongside the intentional spread of extremist ideologies to undermine moderation, the genuine absence of a transitional justice project and a democratic civil state, and the continued reality under the umbrella of an untrustworthy authority that knows no covenants.
   Mr. Qutaiba Qasim Al-Arab
   President of the National Council for Human Right
6. Suwayda, International Commission of Inquiry report, genocide, human rights violations, international humanitarian law, National Council for Human Rights, accountability, transitional justice.
7. Suwayda, UN Commission of Inquiry, Genocide, Human Rights Violations, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), National Council for Human Rights, Accountability, Transitional Justice.