The UN session highlighted Syria’s quest for justice for over 130,000 disappeared individuals, led by Yasmen Almashan, who advocates for a national transitional justice policy. The discussion underscored the importance of victim participation and showcased global examples of how inclusive approaches to justice can contribute to reconciliation and peace. UN officials emphasized the urgent need to protect human rights amid rising global tensions.
The pressing issue of the Syrian populace’s pursuit of a peaceful future was highlighted during a recent UN session, featuring Yasmen Almashan, a prominent advocate for families of forcibly disappeared individuals. Almashan, a co-founder of the Caesar Families Association, articulated the ongoing anguish stemming from the uncertainty regarding the fates of over 130,000 missing persons in Syria, including five of her brothers who vanished between 2012 and 2014.
Almashan emphasized the necessity for a national transitional justice policy established by Syrian authorities to aid in uncovering the truth about the missing. She stated, “Participation of victims is key for transition justice programmes to succeed and reinforce a culture of human rights in countries which suffer from dictatorships or which go through transition periods,” stressing that victims can bridge societal divides and foster peace.
The backdrop to these discussions included a decade-old refusal by the Assad regime to allow an exhibition showcasing photographs from the notorious Caesar Files, which document the torture of detainees. Almashan’s own family suffered tremendous loss, with her second brother identified among those tortured in these files.
Thanks to continuous advocacy by Syrian NGOs, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 77/301 in June 2023, creating the Independent Institution for the Missing in Syria, further promoting victim participation.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged a renewed commitment to transitional justice, referencing positive examples from Guatemala where victim-led coalitions have secured convictions for war crimes. He endorsed a victim-centered, inclusive, and innovative approach to transitional justice, noting the global increase in active conflicts.
In Colombia, efforts to reconcile former adversaries have included psychosocial support for victims and land restitution initiatives. Similarly, initiatives in Kenya and Chad were highlighted, where survivors of sexual violence and victims of civil rights abuses have been granted reparations through civil society intervention.
Sofija Todorovic from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights asserted the importance of including young people in discussions that shape their countries’ futures. She advocated for equipping youth with necessary tools to forge their paths: “It is our duty to stand behind them. We must equip them with the tools and opportunities to create the future they deserve. The rest, they will do themselves.”
In another significant address, UN human rights deputy chief Nada Al-Nashif warned that principles of international law safeguarding against atrocities are increasingly threatened. She noted the heightened risk of genocide when there are signals of discrimination and incitement to violence.
Al-Nashif remarked, “We are living through dangerous times as deep divisions and extreme views feed both conflict and violence,” underscoring that the global constructs of human rights are under unprecedented pressure. She called for a concerted effort to prevent genocide, stressing the moral imperative to ensure that such crimes are recognized and punished.
The discussions at the UN highlighted the critical need for transitional justice in Syria, driven by victim participation to promote a culture of human rights. Advocates like Yasmen Almashan stress the urgency of uncovering the truth behind the disappearances and reiterate the role of the international community in preventing future atrocities. By creating supportive frameworks that include victims and empower the youth, the global body can foster a more just and peaceful future for affected regions.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
