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Damascus – September 2025
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) hosted a delegation from the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry (UNCOI) at its headquarters in Damascus. Mr. Fadel Abdulghani, executive director of SNHR, Mr. Hani Majali, Commissioner of the UNCOI, Ms. Linnea Arvidsson, Chief Investigator of the UNCOI, and members of both the Network and the Commission.
The meeting addressed the current human rights situation in Syria and ways to enhance field coordination and cooperation within Syria, following nearly fourteen years of joint work between the two parties outside Syria. Both sides emphasized the importance of conducting effective investigations that reveal the truth, achieve justice and accountability, and provide compensation and recognition of victims’ rights.
It’s worth noting that the International Commission of Inquiry was established by a resolution of the Human Rights Council in the summer of 2011, but the Assad regime prevented it from entering Syrian territory and operating freely. The current Syrian government allowed the commission to enter, where it conducted investigations, including into the Coast events, and issued a report on them. It later returned to Syria in September to hold direct meetings with victims.
SNHR emphasizes the important role played by the International Commission of Inquiry, supports the continuation of its mandate, and calls on the Syrian government to cooperate seriously with it, take its reports seriously, and utilize them to enhance the protection of human rights in Syria.
