More than 30 thousand people live in the Al-Hol camp in Syria. Syria Commission of Inquiry welcomes ceasefire agreement in northeast International law
The independent international commission of inquiry into events in Syria welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controlled the northeast of the country.
“We welcome efforts to ensure stability in the region and now hope for a complete cessation of hostilities,” said Commission Chairman Paulo Pineiro.
“In this regard, we also welcome the recent decree of the Syrian President recognizing the cultural, linguistic and civil rights of the Kurdish population of Syria,” he added.
The Commission called on all parties to ensure strict compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
“We are alarmed by reports of the killings of fighters who laid down their arms and other civilians, as well as the desecration of the bodies of those killed,” said commission representative Monia Ammar. She noted that the commission is investigating alleged violations.
Experts also talk about the need to ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians and allow civilians to move freely.
Position of children
The commission is concerned about the situation of children in the region. Cold winter weather – coupled with a lack of access to electricity, water, food and heating – can have catastrophic consequences for communities. Experts, in particular, recalled cases of infants dying from cold in camps for displaced persons in northeastern Syria, including in Ain al-Arab (Kobani).
The situation with detainees, especially children, in the context of changing control over places of detention, also causes deep concern. After Al-Aqtan prison near Raqqa, where people allegedly linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) were held, came under government control, the commission received reports that more than a hundred children were being held there arbitrarily and subjected to abuse.
Experts also expressed concern about the situation of more than 17 thousand children and young people arbitrarily detained in the Al-Hol and Al-Rawj camps and in “rehabilitation centers” such as Khuri and Urkesh.
The Commission calls on countries to repatriate children who are their citizens from north-eastern Syria.
Regarding detained suspected former ISIS fighters, the commission recalled the right of all detainees to a fair trial and called for prompt, effective, transparent and impartial investigations, especially in relation to those acts that may constitute war crimes.