Independent Int’l Commission of Inquiry: Syria Still Unsafe for Return of Refugees

Members of the regime's army load a cannon on one of the northern fronts (Reuters)
Members of the regime's army load a cannon on one of the northern fronts (Reuters)
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Independent Int’l Commission of Inquiry: Syria Still Unsafe for Return of Refugees

Members of the regime's army load a cannon on one of the northern fronts (Reuters)
Members of the regime's army load a cannon on one of the northern fronts (Reuters)

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria released its twenty-sixth report on Wednesday, with the commission submitting the report to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on September 22.

The report documents serious violations of fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law across Syria.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has reviewed the 50-page report, and the following is a summary of the main points the report addressed.

The report addressed the persistent nature of various forms of violations by the parties to the conflict and controlling forces in Syria.

It described the current year 2022 as the worst since the outbreak of the popular uprising in terms of the economic and humanitarian situation, indicating that about 14.6 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.

The report noted that insecurity continues to plague all areas under the Syrian regime’s control, further revealing that the regime security forces and affiliated local and foreign militias who control checkpoints and detention centers abuse their powers, and extort money from citizens.

The report also stressed the continuation of arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances and death due to torture against citizens, including refugees and displaced persons returning to areas controlled by the Syrian regime.

It also touched on other types of violations that are reportedly obstacles to the safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees, such as the arbitrary use of security clearances imposed by the Syrian regime with the aim of restricting freedoms, which are a prerequisite for obtaining basic property and housing rights.

In this context, the report stressed that the voluntary and safe return of the refugees must be secured and that this must not entail any physical harm or violation of their fundamental human rights.

In regard to the military operations in areas under the control of the other parties to the conflict, the report said that the Syrian regime continued to target civilians in areas of northwestern Syria, with the support of Russia.

It also referred to the observation of Russian warplanes concurrent with raids targeting civilian objects.

“At the same time, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham both intervened in public life and the provision of services, including fuel, exacerbating civilian suffering amidst widespread poverty. In formalizing restrictions that limit civic space, the group continued to arrest journalists, activists and other individuals who criticized its rule, in a discernible pattern previously identified by the Commission,” the report added.

The Commission “has reasonable grounds to believe that elements of the Syrian National Army have arbitrarily deprived persons of their liberty. Some cases have been tantamount to enforced disappearances.”

It added, “Consistent with an established pattern, elements of the Syrian National Army may have committed torture, cruel treatment and outrages upon personal dignity, including through forms of sexual violence, which constitute war crimes.”

“Nearly 58,000 individuals, including some 17,000 women and 37,000 children, remain unlawfully held in the al-Hol and Rawj camps. Humanitarian conditions in the camps have plummeted. There is no regular water supply, insufficient sanitation, lack of adequate nutrition, health care and housing.”

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Syrian Democratic Forces are violating the obligation to treat humanely all individuals who do not – or no longer – take part in hostilities… Democratic Forces may have perpetrated acts tantamount to enforced disappearances,” revealed the report.

The Commission called on the parties to the conflict “to respect international humanitarian law, to cease, in particular, all indiscriminate and direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects,” and “to conduct independent, impartial and credible investigations into incidents entailing civilian casualties in which their forces are implicated to ensure that those responsible for violations are held accountable and to ensure non-repetition and to make their findings public.”

The Commission stressed the need to “cease torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including sexual and gender-based violence, in all places of detention, cease all forms of incommunicado detention and other infringements on the due process of law, release those arbitrarily detained and ensure that perpetrators of such violations are held accountable through fair trials.”

It further demanded to cease “all enforced disappearances and take all feasible measures, in line with Security Council resolution 2474 (2019), to locate all those detained and/or disappeared, establish their fate or whereabouts and ensure communication with their families.”

For its part, the SNHR welcomed the report’s outcomes and recommendations.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)

Hamas sources have described the ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha as “more serious” than previous rounds, when they said both Israel and the United States lacked genuine commitment.

One Hamas figure told Asharq Al-Awsat that while it remains difficult to predict the outcome, “there is cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough, especially given the clear American pressure aimed at reaching an agreement soon.”

The talks, which began Sunday evening in the Qatari capital, focus on a potential two-month ceasefire that would halt military operations and secure the release of hostages from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump.

According to the sources, negotiations have not stalled and are expected to continue for several days. “At least for now, they cannot be described as negative,” one official said. “Mediators are making serious efforts to achieve progress and conclude a deal as quickly as possible.”

If talks continue positively, the sources said an announcement could come as early as Thursday. But they stressed that any breakthrough depends primarily on Israel’s willingness to accept key Palestinian demands, particularly the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guarantees that the war will end definitively.

The sources declined to specify any obstacles currently impeding talks, preferring to “wait for the outcome in the coming hours or days.”

Hamas negotiators, they said, remain committed to “securing the Palestinian demands submitted as amendments to the latest US proposal drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff.”

“These conditions are essential for a fair ceasefire that gives the people of Gaza hope the war will truly end,” the official added, “and prevents Israel from resuming attacks under any pretext as long as negotiations continue.”

The diplomatic efforts coincide with continued Israeli military escalation in Gaza, where intensive airstrikes have struck apartment blocks, shelters, and aid distribution points. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll has risen to 57,523 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israeli ground forces have expanded operations in northern, southern, and western Khan Yunis, advancing further into Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods. In the south, the military is pushing into the Zeitoun district, edging closer to Gaza’s Old City and the Latin Convent, which houses thousands of displaced civilians.

Israel reportedly aims to widen a buffer zone inside Gaza by over a kilometer - an issue it also tried to cement in January’s ceasefire agreement. Hamas is insisting this time on a clear, staged Israeli withdrawal, with agreed timelines and maps, while Israel appears determined to retain positions near the border fence and along the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt.

Trump said Sunday there was “a good chance” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement “this week” before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. He added the US is also working with Israel on several issues, perhaps including a permanent deal with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday for talks with Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.