The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria released a scathing report on Monday detailing the Assad regime’s systemic human rights violations and war crimes, including widespread torture, enforced disappearances, and crimes against humanity. The report, based on over 2,000 witness statements and 550 survivor interviews, has reignited calls for accountability as Syrians continue to grapple with the devastating aftermath of decades of repression.
Titled “A Web of Torture: Arbitrary Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment in the Syrian Arab Republic,” the report underscores the brutality of detention practices under the Assad regime. Survivors recounted harrowing accounts of “severe beatings, electric shocks, mutilation, rape, and psychological torture.” These abuses took place in facilities such as Sednaya Military Prison and Air Force Intelligence centers, which the UN team recently accessed for the first time since the regime fell in December 2024.
“The small, windowless isolation cells reeked of suffering unimaginable even to seasoned investigators,” said Paulo Pinheiro, head of the UN Commission of Inquiry. “We are at a critical juncture, and the transitional government can now ensure that these crimes are never repeated.”
Mass Graves & Missing Persons
While the release of detainees and the regime’s fall have offered some closure, tens of thousands of families are still searching for missing loved ones. The UN Commission has emphasized the urgent need to protect evidence, including archives and mass grave sites, to ensure accountability and offer hope to grieving families.
“For Syrians who have not found their loved ones, this evidence and the testimonies of released detainees may be their only path to uncovering the truth,” said Lynn Welchman, a member of the inquiry committee.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also been overwhelmed with requests. According to Sarah Afriud, head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan, more than 35,000 families have submitted requests to locate missing relatives, with inquiries coming from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and over 70 countries worldwide.
“Grave sites must be managed properly to access information and conduct identification operations,” Afriud said, emphasizing the need for ongoing cooperation with the Syrian Caretaker Government (SCG) to preserve evidence and clarify the fate of missing persons.
The Human Toll of Displacement & Separation
Years of war and displacement have left deep scars on Syrian families, many of whom remain separated across borders or within the country itself. In Jordan’s Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, the Red Cross facilitates phone calls for families to stay connected. However, for many, the absence of news about their loved ones exacerbates their anguish.
“The suffering caused by separation is profound, affecting all members of a family,” Afriud explained. She noted that while some families reunited due to recent developments, many still await answers.
The availability of newly uncovered records and archives in Syria offers a glimmer of hope. Afriud stressed the importance of international support to assist families facing legal, economic, and psychosocial challenges in their search for the missing.
Hope for Justice and Reconciliation
The UN Commission of Inquiry expressed cautious optimism that the SCG in Syria will address the crimes of the Assad regime. With unprecedented access to sites and survivors, the Commission plans to conduct in-depth investigations to ensure justice and accountability.
Hani Megally, another member of the inquiry, called for “credible national justice initiatives where survivors and families can play a pivotal role.” He emphasized the importance of collaboration between human rights organizations, Syrian families, and international partners to ensure lasting justice.
Meanwhile, the SCG’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the international focus on addressing past atrocities. In a statement, it called for greater efforts to support the families of the missing and ensure that the crimes of the Assad era are never repeated.
A Pivotal Moment for Syria
The UN report highlights both the scale of the Assad regime’s atrocities and the critical need for a robust justice framework. As families of the missing plead for answers and humanitarian groups push for evidence preservation, the international community faces mounting pressure to ensure that accountability and reconciliation remain at the forefront of Syria’s recovery. “This is a historic opportunity to not only rebuild Syria but to honor the memory of its victims and ensure a future free from impunity,” Pinheiro said. “The stakes could not be higher.”
