Madame President,
Members of the Security Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council on the crucial issue of detainees, abductees and missing persons in Syria.
I’d like to welcome Dr. Hala and Ms. Khoulani to today’s briefing.
In June this year, this Council unanimously adopted resolution 2474 on “Missing persons in armed conflict”. The resolution establishes a clear link between solving the issue of missing persons and resolving conflicts. In conversations with us, many Syrians see resolution 2474 as a glimmer of hope.
Given the continued lack of access to places of detention and to detainees in Syria, the UN has no official statistics on those detained, abducted or missing. What we know comes from accounts recorded and corroborated by the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, mandated by the Human Rights Council, and human rights organizations since the start of the conflict in 2011. While the UN is not able to verify, reports suggest that more than 100,000 people have so far been detained, abducted, disappeared or went missing, largely, but not only, by the Syrian government.
Many families have no information on the fate of their loved ones. Detainees, including women and children, are held without due process or access to legal representation or their families. Places of detention are not accessible to the UN or international monitors. Records from hospitals or burial sites are not public. Some families have been forced to pay enormous sums of money in hope of obtaining information—often in vain.
Deaths in detention have continued to occur, allegedly many as a result of torture, neglect or inhumane conditions. For the families of detainees, their tragedy is compounded by the difficulty of obtaining death certificates or remains. Even if they obtain the certificates, the real causes of death remain hidden.
Women, besides being direct victims, are also impacted when their husbands or male relatives disappear. Syrian women risk losing legal rights, including their housing, land and property rights. This happens if they cannot explain their husband or male relative’s whereabouts and lack legal documentation or a death certificate. Many women under these circumstances carry the heavy burden of sustaining their entire families. For refugees or those internally displaced, these challenges are multiplied.
Madame President,
The Commission of Inquiry has documented since 2011 how the Syrian government has, and I quote, “perpetrated the crimes of extermination, murder, rape or other forms of sexual violence, torture, and imprisonment in the context of its widespread and systematic detentions of dissidents, as well as those perceived to be sympathetic to armed groups”.
Perhaps the most prominent evidence of torture and ill-treatment of detainees in government detention centers is the more than 50,000 photos smuggled out of Syria by a military defector and made public in 2014. These photos show nearly 7,000 dead bodies bearing marks of torture.
Following the government’s reassertion of control in some areas previously held by armed groups, the UN has continued to receive reports of civilians arbitrarily detained or disappeared, including in areas subject to so-called “reconciliation agreements”.
Human rights organizations have reported cases of detention and enforced disappearance of refugees who return to Syria or IDPs who return to their places of origin. Surveys by UNHCR indicate that fear of detention is among the factors preventing refugees from return.
Excellencies,
These abuses are not limited to Government forces. According to the Commission of Inquiry, ISIL and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, both designated by the Council as terrorist organizations, have committed heinous abuses.
Armed groups affiliated with the opposition have also committed serious abuses. They allegedly established makeshift places of detention in different areas of their control where captured government soldiers, suspected collaborators with the government or members of opposing armed groups were held and sometimes executed. Reporting from human rights organizations indicates that armed opposition factions currently controlling Afrin have conducted arbitrary detention, torture and abduction of civilians. The Syrian Democratic Forces have also conducted arbitrary detentions, including the arrest of men attempting to evade forced conscription.
The Government of Syria claims that the number of those detained by armed groups is estimated at 16,000. However, without access to all detention centers in Syria, the UN cannot verify the accuracy of this information.
Justice and accountability for these abuses must be ensured, regardless of the perpetrators.
The UN is also concerned that thousands of foreign nationals—many women and children who are family members of alleged ISIL members—are currently being detained in the Al Hol camp. We call on Member States to ensure that their nationals are repatriated for the purposes of prosecution, rehabilitation or reintegration, as appropriate, and in line with international law and standards.
Madame President,
Special Envoy Pedersen has prioritized the case of detainees, abductees and the missing. Meaningful action on this file would build confidence and move the political process forward.
The Special Envoy continues to seek progress within the working group on this issue where the UN is a member, along with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey. The International Committee of the Red Cross is an observer.
Since it was established in December 2017, the working group has facilitated four exchange operations, including one last week. The releases of detainees so far, while welcomed, are insufficient in scale – nowhere near commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. Only 109 people in total have been released thus far.
We stress the need for the parties to move beyond “one for one” exchanges. All sides should engage in unilateral releases, in the true spirit of resolution 2254. Furthermore, meetings of the working group should occur regularly and with more frequency. I urge the working group to also adopt the procedures on missing persons which have been submitted by the United Nations.
And I reiterate the invitation by the United Nations to host the next meeting of the working group in Geneva.
Madame President,
In its resolutions 2139, 2254, and 2165, this Council called for the release of those arbitrarily detained, particularly women and children. These calls must be heeded especially by those with influence on the Syrian parties. The UN stands ready to provide all necessary support.
The parties must fulfill their obligations under international law, to unilaterally release all arbitrarily detained or abducted, and most urgently, women, children, the sick and elderly. They must collect, protect, and manage all the relevant data and documents on detainees, abductees and missing persons and establish a mechanism with the ICRC to manage this information in coordination with the Office of the Special Envoy. Furthermore, they must provide families with information; identify the dead and return remains, wherever possible, to their relatives. Last, they should provide, without delay and through appropriate channels a list of all places in which persons are being detained and arrange for immediate access to such locations by a neutral third party.
Accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights is central to achieving and maintaining durable peace in Syria. In this regard, all parties to the conflict must cooperate fully with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism and the Commission of Inquiry.
Finally, Madame President, I reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.
Thank you.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed outrage at a Taliban attack in Kabul, that led to “scores” of civilians casualties on Wednesday. In a Tweet, the Mission said that such “indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks in heavily populated civilian areas must stop”.
Amman, 07 August 2019 – I am alarmed by the military escalations in Aden today, including reports of clashes in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace. I am also deeply concerned by the recent rhetoric encouraging violence against Yemeni institutions.
Escalations of violence will contribute to instability and suffering in Aden and will deepen Yemen’s political and social divisions.
...“The Israeli authorities approved over the past two days the advancement of some 2,400 housing units in settlements in Area C of the occupied West Bank.
The expansion of settlements has no legal effect and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law. By advancing the effective annexation of the West Bank, it undermines the chances for establishing a Palestinian state based on relevant UN resolutions, as...
Armed groups affiliated with the Al Qaeda and ISIL terror groups, appear to have intensified their activities in Yemen, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) declared on Tuesday, describing the situation as an example of “deeply worrying developments” that have seriously impacted civilians over the past ten days.
Paying homage to those who perished as the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, as well as the many others whose lives were devastated in the years that followed, UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday underscored their “courage and moral leadership” in reminding the world of “the human cost of nuclear war”.
Our main stories today: Myanmar companies bankroll ‘brutal operations’ of military; UN chief renounces shootings in the United States; ‘Repeated indiscriminate’ shelling of Libyan airport raises concern; UN voices ‘concern’ over Kashmir; and new UN agriculture chief reaffirms commitment with Italy on development
Our main stories today: Myanmar companies bankroll ‘brutal operations’ of military; UN chief renounces shootings in the United States; ‘Repeated indiscriminate’ shelling of Libyan airport raises concern; UN voices ‘concern’ over Kashmir; and new UN agriculture chief reaffirms commitment with Italy on development
Tripoli, 05 August 2019 - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is extremely concerned by reports on the continuation of acts of violence in Murzuq, including of a number of airstrikes last night which resulted in many deaths and injuries amongst civilians.
UNSMIL also expresses grave concern over the ongoing communal violence in Murzuq, which has in the past few days led to the deaths of around twenty people and injuries of many others.
...
Tripoli, 4 August 2019 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya Ghassan Salame condemns the repeated indiscriminate shelling targeting Mitiga airport, the only indispensable functioning airport available for use by millions of civilians and for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the greater Tripoli area. These attacks have continued unabated since the start of the LNA offensive against Tripoli on 4 April...
One person in every 70 is caught up in a humanitarian crisis right now, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), with women and girls among the most impacted.
Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his “deep regret” on Friday that the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty betweein the United States and Russia came to an end.
It is “vitally important” that the Security Council “come together” on the current plight of children affected by armed conflict across the globe”, Virginia Gamba, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said on Friday.
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
New YorkDPPA’s Quarterly Progress Update now available Security CouncilSalamé: "It is high time the warring parties cease all hostilities" AfghanistanPeace is an urgent priority for Afghans, religious scholars say
IraqSRSG visit to Russia New trust fund to rebuild Iraq
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SomaliaUN Envoy highlights the importance of building on Somaliland’s achievements
Youth engagement vital to advancing peace and political progress in Somalia, UN Envoy says Guinea-BissauNew Special Representative and Head of UNIOGBIS
African UnionTree planting in Ethiopia ColombiaNew Deputy Special Representative |
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
Our main stories today: Security Council concern over DRC Ebola outbreak, head of UNICEF deplores ‘devastating week’ for children in MENA region, climate crisis to have ‘extensive’ effect on human settlement
The UN Security Council on Friday expressed grave concern about the current Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and stressed the urgency of broad cooperation in the response, as “the disease could spread rapidly, including to neighbouring countries, possibly having serious humanitarian consequences and impacting regional stability.”
Today, our main stories include: UN chief’s warning on climate and global politics; UNICEF’s call to bolster breastfeeding and new Board of Inquiry in Syria
Global warming and rising political tensions are dangerous and avoidable, Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters on Thursday, previewing the UN’s upcoming Climate Action Summit, and spotlighting geopolitical hotspots.
Ten years after the start of a violent insurgency in north-east Nigeria plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis that is “still far from over”, the United Nations and its aid partners have underscored the need to “collectively redouble efforts” to help the most vulnerable.
DPPA is pleased to issued its Quarterly Report (01 April to 30 June) covering activities funded under the Multi-Year Appeal. During the reporting period, the Department made further progress, thanks to funding under the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA), in assisting Special political Missions (SPMs) and non-mission settings, as well as servicing the whole UN system in the areas of electoral assistance, conflict prevention, crisis response and mediation. DPPA also organized a field visit to Addis Ababa on 3 and 4 June to inform partners of its work with regional organizations.
The MYA is an ideal instrument to kickstart new initiatives and support emerging areas of work of the Organization. A new funding window has been created under the MYA to support SPMs in the delivery of their mandates with targeted local peace and mediation initiatives. Local Peace Initiatives (LPIs) will now fund grass-root activities to complement and bring gains to larger-scale, strategic-level engagement on peace and reconciliation (i.e. peace or national dialogue processes). This new window will support local peace and prevention initiatives that place strong emphasis on inclusion (e.g. women, youth and/or minorities) and on the participation of civil society. LPIs also capitalize on the opportunities created by the management reform in relation to the delegation of authority to heads of entities, which can facilitate project implementation.
As of 30 June, the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) was 35 per cent funded, with $10.4 million received in contributions out of the $30 million requested for 2019. Guided by the six priorities under the Strategic Plan (2016-2019), below are a few highlights of achievements with MYA funding, making a difference on the ground.
DPPA is pleased to issue its Quarterly Report (01 April to 30 June) covering activities funded under the Multi-Year Appeal. During the reporting period, the Department made further progress, thanks to funding under the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA), in assisting Special political Missions (SPMs) and non-mission settings, as well as servicing the whole UN system in the areas of electoral assistance, conflict prevention, crisis response and mediation. DPPA also organized a field visit to Addis Ababa on 3 and 4 June to inform partners of its work with regional organizations.
Our main stories today cover: A new report on children and armed conflict, a day to combat human trafficking; funds needed to fight Ebola in DR Congo; UN rights office condemns the execution of two Bahraini citizens; and International Day of Friendship
Our main stories today cover: A new report on children and armed conflict, a day to combat human trafficking; funds needed to fight Ebola in DR Congo; UN rights office condemns the execution of two Bahraini citizens; and International Day of Friendship
Bombing and shelling in Syria for more than 90 days by the Government and Russia have led to “carnage in the so-called de-escalation zone” of Idlib, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Tuesday, in his seventh update since the “current onslaught” began.
The conflict in Afghanistan continues to be devastating for civilians, with the latest United Nations update released on Tuesday showing that the number of civilians killed by aerial operations increased in the first half of 2019, even as overall civilian casualties declined.
A new UN report has found that 2018 was the worst year on record for children caught up in armed conflict; the year saw the highest numbers killed or maimed since the United Nations began monitoring the violation.
In the wake of the murder of indigenous leader Emrya Wajãpi in Brazil, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has called on the country’s authorities to “react quickly and decisively” to protect the rights of indigenous peoples on their lands.
Fighting in Libya “shows no signs of abating”, the head of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL), told the Security Council on Monday, painting a grim picture of worsening humanitarian conditions, and warning that the instability and influx of foreign weapons is fueling a proxy war in the north African country.
Our main stories today: UN chief and senior UN official condemn the ‘terrible massacre’ in Nigeria that left some 65 dead, and the shelling of a hospital in Libya that killed medical workers; UN Secretary-General António Guterres reacts to a deadly landslide in China; recycled plastic waste is used to build classrooms in Côte d’Ivoire; and scouts are urged to become human rights defenders.
