The Syrian Coalition took a decision to form two commissions, one managing the affairs in the besieged areas and the forcibly displaced persons, and the other addressing issues to do with detainees and missing persons. The decision was made during the ordinary 34th meeting of the Coalition’s General Assembly which concluded on Saturday.
Vice-president of the Syrian Coalition Abdul Rahman Mustafa said that the United Nations has so far failed to force the Assad regime and its backers to lift the blockades on the besieged areas in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254. He added that the Assad regime continues with “the mass forced displacement as it has recently issued threats to the residents of eastern Qalamoun to evacuate their homes or their lives will be threatened.”
Mustafa pointed out that members of the General Assembly proposed the formation of a national commission for the affairs of the besieged areas and displaced people and one for the affairs of detainees and missing persons. He noted that the move will enable the Coalition to play a greater role in addressing these two important issues.
Member of the Coalition’s political committee Yasser Farhan said that the issue of detainees will receive greater attention as the move “aims to put pressure on the Assad regime to stop the detention, murdering and burning of the bodies of activists in the dungeons of the security forces away from the eyes of local and international human rights organizations.”
Farhan stressed that the Assad regime and those responsible for arrests and killings will not be able to escape punishment for their crimes; crimes that are condemned under international law and international humanitarian law. Farhan added that accountability for these crimes will be a priority in the full political transition that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Members of the General Assembly also discussed the latest political and field developments in Syria and violations against Syrian refugees in the town of Arsal in Lebanon. They strongly condemned the killing of 19 refugees by units of the Lebanese Army and the Hezbollah militias. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
