Secretary of the political committee in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abdelbaset Abdullatif, emphasized the imperative of holding Russia accountable for its egregious crimes committed in Syria in support of the Assad regime, particularly the deliberate targeting of public facilities, notably hospitals.
In a press statement, Abdullatif highlighted Russia’s utilization of internationally prohibited weapons and direct attacks on civilians since its intervention alongside the Assad regime in 2015. He underscored that such actions have resulted in the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure, aiming to undermine the resilience of the populace, forcibly displace them, and secure swift military advancements on the ground.
Abdullatif further emphasized that the recent lawsuit filed against Russia before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights represents just one of many atrocities perpetrated by Russia in support of the Assad regime throughout the past several years. He stressed the necessity of relentless efforts to hold both Russia and the Assad regime accountable, ensuring perpetrators do not evade justice.
A Syrian individual and the Hand in Hand for Aid and Development relief organization submitted a complaint against Russia to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for its violation of international law by bombing the Kafranbel Surgical Hospital in the Idlib countryside back on May 5, 2019, resulting in the deaths of two civilians.
The complaint relied on video evidence, eyewitness testimonies, and audio recordings, including communications between a Russian pilot and the ground control center discussing the release of munitions, as reported by Reuters.
Fadi Al-Deiri, director of Hand in Hand, stated, “Syrians are seeking justice from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to acknowledge the truth behind this brutal attack and the suffering it inflicted.”
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)