Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Wednesday stating that the Assad regime has violated an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order issued a year ago, which mandates the regime to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of torture in Syria.
The ICJ had issued provisional measures on November 16, 2023, in a case brought by the Netherlands and Canada against the Assad regime, accusing it of breaching the Convention Against Torture.
HRW emphasized that Syrians remain at risk of enforced disappearance, death under torture, and inhumane detention conditions. The report, along with findings from other human rights organizations and a UN-mandated investigation, indicated that the Assad regime continues its abusive practices, in direct violation of the ICJ order.
HRW cited an August 2024 report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, documenting the deaths of at least 43 individuals due to torture since the ICJ issued its order.
The HRW report further highlighted that Syrians—including those who voluntarily returned or were forcibly repatriated to Syria from host countries—face risks of enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention in deplorable conditions, and torture.
Despite claims from some European governments that parts of Syria are safe for refugee returns, HRW and other research indicate otherwise. HRW called on host countries to immediately halt any forced returns, deportations lacking due process, or plans that encourage or incentivize such returns.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) reiterated that Syria remains unsafe for refugees due to the same conditions that forced them to flee: killings, arrests, and torture. It argued that recurring monthly and annual human rights reports confirm this reality.
The SOC also criticized the classification of Syria as a “safe” country as a political decision rather than one based on facts or ground realities. It cited credible human rights reports documenting ongoing abuses against returnees from Lebanon, as well as a UN Human Rights Council resolution issued on July 31 and an International Commission of Inquiry resolution from October 9.
The SOC urged the international community to intensify efforts to activate the political process and implement international resolutions on Syria, particularly the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council Resolutions 2118 and 2254, asserting that these are the only viable solutions to address the root causes of the refugee crisis.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
