After Bashar al-Assad’s fall, UN says Syria’s transition must ensure accountability

Any political transition in Syria
following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad must include accountability for him and others responsible for crimes committed under his ruleThe United Nations high commissioner for human rights said Monday.

“Any political transition must ensure that perpetrators of serious violations are held accountable and those responsible are held accountable,” Volker Turk told reporters in Geneva.

When asked if Assad was among those who should be held accountable, he said: “the former president of Syria and whoever has been in senior leadership positions, there is indeed serious reason to believe that they may have committed heinous crimes.”

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“It is imperative that all evidence be meticulously collected and preserved for future use.”

His comments came after Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels invaded Damascus, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond over the end of his oppressive rule.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad

Assad’s government fell eleven days after rebels began a surprise advancemore than 13 years after Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria’s civil war, which had largely lain dormant until the rebel advance.

The Syrian war has killed more than 500,000 people and forced half the population to flee their homes.

Turk described “the most serious violations of human rights… including torture and the use of chemical weapons.”

The sudden and dramatic change in Syria brought “hope that this would be an opportunity for the country to build a future based on human rights, freedom and justice,” Turk said. He added that “the reform of the security apparatus will be key.”

“This transition must also ensure that the tragedy of missing persons is addressed”he said, noting that more than 100,000 people had disappeared during the civil war.

Noting that hostilities are reportedly still continuing in some parts of Syria, Turk said it is “imperative that all parties comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law.”

In particular, he said, “all measures must be taken to ensure the protection of all minorities and to avoid reprisals and acts of revenge.”

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