International mechanism on Syria: Accountability is closer than ever if evidence is preserved

The United Nations General Assembly established, Neutral and independent mechanism in 2016 to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011.

The head of the mechanism, Robert Beatty, told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva that he is with the presence “A tangled series of crime scenes” Across the country now accessible, there is the possibility of accessing evidence and determining the fate of tens of thousands who… “They were illegally arrested, detained, and suffered years of violence within the prison system.”

He said that the previous Syrian government did not recognize the legitimacy of the mechanism and did not deal with it despite numerous attempts. In preparation for future accountability processes, the International Mechanism has collected evidence from numerous sources and 283 terabytes of data that can be used to support current and future judicial authorities.

Over the past years, the Mechanism has received more than 400 requests for assistance from 16 different jurisdictions, and was able to support more than half of them with evidence and analysis. Beatty said he expects increased demand for support from the mechanism. He expressed concern about the destruction of potential evidence during a surprise attack by armed opposition, although this was understandable given the rapidly evolving situation, he said.

The UN investigator spoke of scenes of papers scattered on the ground, and people leaving carrying computers, and stressed the need to… Concerted efforts from all to preserve evidence while the Mechanism plays its role in this process.

The international mechanism confirmed, through letters to the Syrian missions in Geneva and New York, its readiness to engage and go to Syria to fulfill its mandate. The head of the mechanism said that the mechanism will send its team as soon as the response arrives.

Beatty said that many national and international actors have offered assistance to the transitional authorities to preserve evidence, expressing his hope that these efforts will continue. He pointed out that the situation varies from one governorate to another and that part of Syria is still under the weight of armed conflict.

Humanitarian situation

At the same time, UN humanitarian workers have warned that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, as fighting continues in northeastern Syria, including in the occupied Golan. The UNHCR said that Israeli forces issued orders to residents of some villages to evacuate, and that people resisted these orders.

In recent days, Israeli forces have advanced beyond the buffer zone established under the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israeli and Syrian forces. Israeli forces have reportedly carried out more than 500 air strikes since the overthrow of the Assad regime.

Rima Jamous Emsis, Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted in the press conference in Geneva the enormous humanitarian needs in Syria, Where 90 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. She stressed the need for donors to support as well “Early recovery and reconstruction” So that Syria can absorb the expected influx of returning citizens and move towards self-sufficiency.

Emsis pointed to incoming and outgoing population movements across the borders with Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan in light of the current “dynamic changing situation.” UNHCR expects that next year will witness the return of up to one million Syrians to their country between January and June.

Emsis warned against any forced returns, and called on host countries to respect the rights of asylum seekers and the principle of non-refoulement. She said: “It is too early to see how safe the situation is. We need to respect the right of voluntary, safe and dignified return of Syrians. People simply cannot, after 14 years of displacement, pack their bags overnight and return to a country devastated by conflict.”