By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria on Friday has welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the Syrian Government and the mainly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces and urged all parties to seize the moment to protect civilians and prevent violations in the country’s northeast.
Chair of the independent UN Human Rights Council-mandated investigative team, Paulo Pinheiro said “We welcome efforts to bring stability to the region and now hope for a complete end to hostilities and a sustainable resolution.”
He stressed the need to address acute humanitarian needs, including food, water and electricity.
Paulo Pinheiro welcomed a recent presidential decree recognized the cultural and citizenship rights of Syria’s Kurdish population.
The independent investigators called for strict adherence to international humanitarian law, warned of alarming reports of killings, abuse and desecration of bodies.
Commissioner Monia Ammar said “We are investigating alleged violations and abuses and will report on them in due course,”
UN agencies said that cold winter conditions, combined with limited access to basic services, risk proving catastrophic for displaced families, particularly children, the Commission warned.
It voiced grave concern over the situation of detained children in prisons and camps, including Al-Hol – where thousands of family member of alleged former ISIL fighters are being held.
The commission noted some resumption of aid deliveries.
Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said assistance “must be augmented” and urged authorities to enable the safe and dignified return of women and children, while calling on States to urgently repatriate their child nationals.
