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G7 Calls for Accountability for Those Responsible for Syrian Coastal Events
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The convergence of international positions reflects the growing global interest in the necessity of achieving justice and accountability in Syria, which constitutes a decisive factor towards the Syria
The draft final statement, which Reuters reviewed, indicated that the ministers "strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence in the Syrian coastal areas, and called for providing protection for civilians and holding perpetrators of violations accountable," while the statement is still awaiting final approval from the ministers.
The group includes the friendly United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, and Canada, whose foreign ministers reaffirmed during last February on the sidelines of the Munich Climate Conference their commitment to supporting the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria and Lebanon.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented in its preliminary report issued on Tuesday that 803 people, including women and children, were killed as a result of attacks in the Syrian coastal areas between March 6 and 10, indicating that about half of the victims fell at the hands of remnants of the deposed regime, while the rest were killed during security and military operations carried out by forces affiliated with the Syrian interim caretaker government.
The spokesperson for the fact-finding committee on the events in the Syrian coast, Yasser Al-Farhan, stated that the committee continues its field work and has lists of witnesses and potential suspects.
In his interview with the American "Al-Hurra" channel, Al-Farhan explained that the committee "will investigate all operations that occurred on the coast," noting that "the position of the Syrian authority came through forming an investigation committee on the issue of violations against civilians."
Al-Farhan reported that "we are a fact-finding committee conducting our investigative work, and we deliver the investigation to President Ahmed Al-Shara," confirming that the committee "will refer those proven to be involved in the attacks to the public prosecution."
In the same context, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted that the future of the Syrian people is now at stake, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive political transition process that ensures accountability and establishes the foundations for recovery in Syria.
The European Union had also emphasized the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of crimes on the coast, while condemning the attacks launched by remnants of the regime on Syrian public security.
The UN Security Council adopted a statement condemning the widespread violence in the Syrian coastal region and urging the country's transitional authorities to protect all Syrians regardless of race or religion.
