New US initiative for ‘Justice, Accountability’ in Syria

US Department of State, Reuters
US Department of State, Reuters
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New US initiative for ‘Justice, Accountability’ in Syria

US Department of State, Reuters
US Department of State, Reuters

Against a wave of criticism slamming the Biden administration for not having a clear strategy on Syria, the US State Department launched a competition for organizations looking to promote the transitional justice processes for conflict in the Levantine country.

The State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), in a notice on Monday, revealed that the competition offers applicants a chance to win a funding opportunity with a ceiling of $987,654 and a floor of $500,000.

“DRL’s goal is to ensure truth, justice and accountability processes addressing gross and systematic human rights violations committed in Syria account for and address the gendered dimensions of the Syrian conflict and gendered experiences and impacts of human rights violations, especially those committed against women and girls,” said the notice.

It is worth noting that announcing the grant marks a development in the process of shaping the new US leadership’s policy on Syria.

Through this competition, DRL is looking to fund a project that will advance Syrian women’s meaningful engagement in and leadership of efforts to pursue truth, justice, and accountability for human rights violations and abuses committed in Syria.

Improving collaboration, coordination, and cooperation amongst women and women-led organizations pursuing truth, justice, and accountability, as well as between women’s-based networks and broader justice and accountability efforts, is also an objective.

More so, DRL listed a number of outcomes it expected from the program.

They included strengthening the role played by women activists and women-led initiatives in designing and implementing the current and future truth, justice, and accountability initiatives for human rights violations committed in Syria.

This includes, but is not limited to, investigations and prosecutions of atrocity crimes, as well as the political process.



UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
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UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reaffirmed its authority to move freely and conduct patrols with or without Lebanese army presence, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The statement came after an incident in the town of Srifa, where local residents intercepted a UNIFIL patrol. A man climbed onto a UN vehicle and raised a Hezbollah flag in protest over the absence of a Lebanese army escort.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in place since November 2023.

Southern Lebanese villages, particularly those south of the Litani River, appeared nearly deserted during the Eid al-Adha holiday. In contrast to the crowds seen during Eid al-Fitr, most streets were empty, with only a few remaining residents visible.

The destruction caused by Israeli attacks has prevented many from returning to their homes in border villages. Continuous drone surveillance and frequent airstrikes have further discouraged residents from even briefly visiting their damaged properties.

Those who did visit on the first day of Eid described their trips as “urgent and brief,” citing the persistent threat of renewed attacks.

Israeli forces have been accused of several violations in recent days. Local media reported the abduction of a Lebanese shepherd near the town of Shebaa, as well as the injury of a civilian after an Israeli drone dropped two stun grenades in the town of Houla. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported near the towns of Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab.

UNIFIL confirmed the Srifa incident, with spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stating that a group of civilians stopped a scheduled patrol. “The peacekeepers were able to resume their duties after the Lebanese army intervened,” he said.

Tenenti emphasized that Resolution 1701 grants UNIFIL full freedom of movement, adding: “While we coordinate closely with the Lebanese army, freedom of movement is essential to fulfill our mandate.”

Incidents involving local opposition to UNIFIL patrols have become more frequent in recent weeks. With more than 400 patrols conducted daily in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army is unable to accompany all of them due to limited manpower.

UNIFIL continues to view its presence as vital to regional stability, and discussions are underway to extend its mandate beyond August.