WJC @ UNHRC: Commission of Inquiry report on the Syrian Arab Republic

Representative delivering the statement: Mr. Sacha Elkaim 

Thank you, Madam President, 

The World Jewish Congress thanks the Commission of Inquiry for their report on Syria. For us, the protection of the most vulnerable, including minorities and unarmed civilians is a priority. The information in this report on the population in the Idlib governorate and its environs is particularly alarming, as the country has been embroiled in a civil war for far too long. Actions to remedy the situation have to be taken immediately.

Once more, we see how civilians are the primary victims of brutality and violence. Many hospitals, schools and other facilities have been bombed and shut down, the numbers of dead and injured are rising and thousands of civilians and minority groups are being displaced.

Further, since the eruption of the Syrian civil war, all parties to the conflict have persecuted vulnerable minority groups such as the Kurds, Christians, Assyrians, Yazidis and Druze most relentlessly. The Druze of Sweida, for example, have recently had their fields stolen, leading to the collapse of their agriculture and in the worst cases, had their people attacked and killed, including young children. 

The World Jewish Congress asks the Commission how can we ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes? Incidents must be documented, testimonies gathered, those responsible identified and reported to the appropriate judicial authorities. 

Thank you.

To read more about WJC's activities at the 44th session of the United Nations Human Right's Council, click here.