SNHR Reports Human Rights Violations in Syria During August

The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) released a report documenting human rights violations in Syria throughout August 2024, highlighting the deaths of 57 civilians, widespread arbitrary detentions, and continued assaults on civilian infrastructure.

According to SNHR, 57 civilians were killed during the month, including 13 children and 6 women. Disturbingly, 6 of the victims died due to torture. The Assad regime was identified as responsible for the deaths of 21 civilians, while the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were implicated in the deaths of 4 and 1 civilians, respectively.

The highest concentration of casualties occurred in Deir Ezzor Governorate, which accounted for 39% of the civilian deaths, largely attributed to Assad regime forces. Daraa Governorate followed, with 35% of the deaths, mostly caused by unknown actors. The report emphasized that many of these attacks targeted civilian areas and infrastructure, constituting potential war crimes under international law.

The report showed at least 214 cases of arbitrary arrest in August, including 13 children and 7 women, with 173 of these cases turning into enforced disappearances. The Assad regime was responsible for the majority of these arrests, detaining 113 individuals, including those forcibly returned from Lebanon. The report also recorded 46 arrests by the Syrian National Army (SNA), 37 by the SDF, and 18 by HTS.

The report stressed that these arrests are part of an ongoing pattern of abuse by all parties involved in the conflict, with the Assad regime continuing its practice of mass arrests, often at checkpoints, and targeting those evading compulsory military service.

Seven attacks on vital facilities throughout the month were recorded, all of which specifically targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, in violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. These attacks have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the country, particularly in northwestern Syria, where ongoing hostilities have led to increased displacement and poverty.

SNHR reiterated calls for the UN Security Council to take additional measures beyond Resolution No. 2254, urging the referral of the Syrian situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC). It also called for the implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle, advocating for more robust international intervention in light of the failure of previous political agreements to resolve the conflict. Urging the international community to develop projects aimed at mapping and removing mines and cluster munitions, and increase efforts to provide humanitarian aid.

The report comes at a time of heightened tensions across Syria, with increasing hostilities involving the Assad regime, SDF, ISIS, and other armed groups. UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, particularly in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and northeastern Syria, calling for immediate and sustainable de-escalation efforts. Pedersen also highlighted the ongoing issue of detainees and missing persons, urging an end to arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, which remain rampant across Syria.S