Syria: UN investigators call for protecting evidence amid worsening humanitarian crisis
December 23, 2024
Geneva – UN investigators on Friday called for urgent action to protect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria, amid fears that the worsening humanitarian crisis is destroying vital clues.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria (IICI) said in a statement that “the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria is not only causing immense suffering, but is also eroding the evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The IICI said that “the destruction of evidence is a serious threat to justice,” and urged all parties to the conflict to “take all necessary measures to preserve and protect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The IICI’s call comes as Syria enters its 13th year of civil war. The conflict has caused a humanitarian crisis that the UN has described as the worst in the world, with millions of people displaced and in need of food, water, and shelter.
The IICI has been documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria since 2011. The commission has found that all parties to the conflict have committed serious human rights violations, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, torture, and arbitrary detention.
The IICI’s findings have been used to support investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international bodies. However, the IICI has said that the destruction of evidence is making it increasingly difficult to document war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.
In its statement on Friday, the IICI said that “the destruction of evidence is a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and prevent accountability.” The commission urged all parties to the conflict to “cooperate with international efforts to preserve and protect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The IICI’s call has been echoed by human rights groups, who have also warned that the destruction of evidence is a serious threat to justice in Syria.
“The destruction of evidence is a crime in itself,” said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a statement. “It is essential that all parties to the conflict take all necessary measures to preserve and protect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
HRW said that the destruction of evidence in Syria “is not new,” but that the worsening humanitarian crisis is making it more difficult to document war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The humanitarian crisis is destroying homes, schools, and hospitals,” said HRW. “It is also destroying evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
HRW urged all parties to the conflict to “cooperate with international efforts to preserve and protect evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.” The group also called on the ICC to “investigate the destruction of evidence as a war crime.”
Syria: UN investigators call for protecting evidence amid worsening humanitarian crisis
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