The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Office of Youth Affairs held an online panel discussion under the title “The World’s Failure to Confront Russia and its Admission into UN Human Rights Council.” The discussion was held in cooperation with the SOC’s Office of Women’s Affairs and the Legal Office.
Keynote speakers included Head of the Syrian National Commission for the Defense of Detainees and Missing Persons, Yasser Al-Farhan, volunteer teams, youth groupings, and student bodies in universities.
Participants discussed the war crimes the Assad regime and Russia are committing in Syria. They also discussed Russia’s intervention which aims to shore up the Assad regime, and its responsibility for blocking efforts to ensure accountability for war crimes through its repeated use of its veto power at the UN Security Council.
Al-Farhan pointed out that the SOC sent many letters to the United Nations and UN Security Council to warn against electing Russia to the Human Rights Council as it does not meet the criteria for joining the Council.
Al-Farhan pointed out that multiple local and international reports confirmed Russia’s involvement in violations and crimes in Syria, most notably its repeated targeting of civilians and vital installations. He stressed the importance of continuing to document Russia’s crimes and bringing them to international forums.
Participants put forth many proposals and suggestions as they emphasized the need for continuous work until justice is achieved and the Syrian people obtain all their rights. Al-Farhan said: “We are in a long legal battle. We will press on to win future rounds as we will spare no effort.” (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
