The Syrian National Coalition expressed its deep concern at the size of the violations uncovered by a UN human rights mission charged with the verification of cases of abductions and enforced disappearances. The Syrian Coalition also stressed its strong condemnation of the extrajudicial arrests and detention of individuals. “The mission found that the Assad regime stands behind kidnapping and extrajudicial detention of Syrian citizens since 2011. Extremists groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS), kidnapped citizens because of their unwillingness to abide by the laws imposed by these groups. The Syrian Coalition reiterated that it “does not see (ISIS) as part of the revolution, considering that their actions and behaviors serve the interests of the Assad regime. The Syrian Coalition recalled Assad’s statement that he has double agents in the ranks of the forces of the revolution who serve his ends.” In the same context, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition Badr Aldin Jamous said that the often recited slogan “Assad or we burn the country down” by Assad’s loyalists was the beginning of all the ongoing violations in the country. Jamous also said that the Syrian Coalition “condemns all those who are taking advantage of the current situation to violate the fundamental rights of the Syrians.” Furthermore, he said that the Syrian Coalition considers any armed faction that makes arrests and detention against innocent civilians is acting against the goals and ideals of the revolution.” The Syrian Coalition and the Free Syrian Army reasserted their commitment to working hand in hand to ensure the protection of Syrian citizens, regardless of their views or backgrounds, promising to hold accountable and punish all those involved in the violation of human rights. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
