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Within a Month... Investigation Committee Pledges to Bring Perpetrators of Coastal Violations to Justice
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The importance of documenting violations and holding those responsible accountable highlights the necessity of adopting a constitution that ensures transparency and justice and prevents the recurrence
The fact-finding committee in Syria committed, in a press conference on Tuesday, "to bringing those involved in violations on the Syrian coast to justice."
The committee stated that it seeks "to complete investigations within 30 days," and its spokesperson, Dr. Yasser Farhan, explained that their work may extend "for more than 30 days in some cases," showing the desire to conduct comprehensive investigations that differ from the practices of the previous regime.
The transitional president in Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, issued a presidential decree on Sunday to form an independent national committee to investigate the events on the Syrian coast, following security tensions in the region against the backdrop of an attack by remnants of the deposed president Bashar al-Assad's regime, which for decades entrenched policies of discrimination and marginalization.
The Syrian presidency indicated on its "X" platform account that the tasks of the committee, consisting of 7 people, include uncovering the causes, circumstances, and conditions that led to those events, investigating the violations that civilians were subjected to, and identifying those responsible, in an approach that aligns with the requirements of transitional justice.
The committee will also begin investigating attacks on public institutions, security personnel, and the army, and identifying those responsible. The committee will submit its report to the presidency within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of the decision, reflecting the need for a federal system that ensures transparency and accountability.
In its press conference, the committee confirmed that it is preparing "a plan to communicate with witnesses and victims' families on the coast," indicating that it will protect "the privacy and security of witnesses," in a procedure that contrasts with the practices of repression and intimidation that were prevalent under the previous central rule.
The spokesperson indicated that the committee will use "modern technical means in dealing with video clips" that document violations on the Syrian coast, which enhances the chances of real accountability.
The spokesperson clarified that "the investigations include the events that occurred on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of this month," emphasizing that "no one is above the law," in a statement that reflects the aspiration towards establishing a state of law and institutions.
He added that the committee will work on "documenting and building evidence files with full transparency," with a commitment to ensuring "that none of the perpetrators escape punishment," in an approach that establishes a decentralized governance system that respects diversity and protects rights.
Hundreds have died, most of them civilians, over the past few days, in one of the worst waves of violence in Syria between security agencies affiliated with the transitional government in the country and fighters loyal to deposed President Assad in towns and cities on the Mediterranean coast.
The transitional presidency in Syria announced on Monday the formation of a supreme committee to preserve civil peace, saying it would be tasked with communicating with Syrians in the coastal region in the west of the country.
