OHCHR / SYRIA TURK

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UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called for human rights to be central to tackle the tremendous challenges and risks Syria faces, noting that it is critical that crimes committed by all actors over the past five decades are addressed and those responsible held to account. OHCHR
Description

STORY: OHCHR / SYRIA TÜRK
TRT: 05:01
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 14-15 JANUARY 2025, DAMASCUS, SYRIA

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Shotlist

15 JANUARY 2025, DAMASCUS, SYRIA

1. Pan right, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk walks up to dais
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“I have been impressed by the bravery, fortitude, and resilience of the Syrian people I have met, given the atrocities and trauma they have experienced over the years. It has been indeed a very emotional experience to listen to their plight.”
3. Wide shot, press
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“He, like the thousands of others held and disappeared there and in so many other facilities for decades past, was crammed into a freezing cell with dozens of others, sharing only a few blankets. Early in the morning, as they heard the guards at their door, trembling in fear, they retreated to the rear of the cell, fearing they would be hauled out again to be tortured, or even executed.”
5. Med shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“It is inconceivable that such mass killings and destruction took place. Equally, that banned chemical weapons were used against civilians elsewhere in the country, and not just once, says a lot about the extreme brutality of the tactics used by the former regime. Such acts constitute some of the most serious crimes under international humanitarian law.”
7. Wide shot, dais
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations: There are still very real threats to Syria’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty which must be fully respected and rigorously upheld. The ongoing conflicts and hostilities must end.”
9. Wide shot, press
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations: As the international community considers the issue of sanctions, it will be critical to bear in mind the impact sanctions have on the lives of the Syrian people. I therefore call for an urgent reconsideration of sectoral sanctions with a view to lifting them.”
11. Wide shot, dais
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations: “Those responsible for serious human rights violations and crimes must be held to account. Concerns of the most serious war crimes and even crimes against humanity have been documented over the years of conflict. The enforced disappearances, the torture, the use of chemical weapons, among other atrocity crimes, must be fully investigated. And then justice must be served, fairly and impartially.
13. Zoom out cameras
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations: “Revenge and vengeance are never the answer. Instead, there needs to be a fully nationally owned, healing, truth telling and reconciliation process.”
15. Wide shot, dais
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations: “Women and girls face significant disparities in the country. If one looks at the data, it is clear that gender inequalities limit access to healthcare, education, and safe housing. Rebuilding a Syria that works for all its people, equal in dignity and without discrimination, will be key to its success and stability.”
17. Wide shot, press
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“This is really a seminal moment for Syria after decades of repression. My most fervent hope is for all Syrians to be able to thrive together, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity and to build a common future.”
19. Travelling shot, driving to presidential palace
20. Various shots, Türk meeting with de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa
20. Various shots, Türk meeting with civil society and NGO’s

14 JANUARY 2025, JOBAR, DAMASCUS, SYRIA

21. Various shots, Türk and delegation walking empty streets and destroyed buildings

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Storyline

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today (15 Jan) called for human rights to be central to tackle the tremendous challenges and risks Syria faces, noting that it is critical that crimes committed by all actors over the past five decades are addressed and those responsible held to account.

“I have been impressed by the bravery, fortitude, and resilience of the Syrian people I have met, given the atrocities and trauma they have experienced over the years. It has been indeed a very emotional experience to listen to their plight,” Türk said at the end of the first ever visit to Syria by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

During his visit, Türk heard from a number of victims, including a former soldier jailed at the notorious Sednaya prison.

“He, like the thousands of others held and disappeared there and in so many other facilities for decades past, was crammed into a freezing cell with dozens of others, sharing only a few blankets. Early in the morning, as they heard the guards at their door, trembling in fear, they retreated to the rear of the cell, fearing they would be hauled out again to be tortured, or even executed,” Türk said.

The High Commissioner also visited the residential neighbourhood of Jobar, in Damascus, which now resembles what can only be described as an apocalyptic wasteland with no building spared bombardment.

“It is inconceivable that such mass killings and destruction took place. Equally, that banned chemical weapons were used against civilians elsewhere in the country, and not just once, says a lot about the extreme brutality of the tactics used by the former regime. Such acts constitute some of the most serious crimes under international humanitarian law,” he said.

The people of Syria need all the help they can get at this important moment amid tremendous challenges and risks, Türk said, adding that the UN Human Rights Office would continue to support inclusive, nationally owned and driven processes. The Office, he said, had worked over the past 14 years to monitor, document and publish numerous reports to bring to the world’s attention the extremely serious human rights situation in Syria, and to call for accountability. This despite being denied access to the country until very recently.

“There are still very real threats to Syria’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty which must be fully respected and rigorously upheld. The ongoing conflicts and hostilities must end,” Türk stressed.

The High Commissioner met the leader of the caretaker authorities, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, to discuss the opportunities and challenges awaiting this new Syria, and why human rights must be at the front and centre.

The first task, Türk said, is to save lives, given that much of the country is in ruins, 90 per cent of the population is mired in poverty, the health system is on its knees and many schools are closed. Millions are still displaced both inside and outside the country.

“As the international community considers the issue of sanctions, it will be critical to bear in mind the impact sanctions have on the lives of the Syrian people. I therefore call for an urgent reconsideration of sectoral sanctions with a view to lifting them,” the UN Human Rights Chief said.

The extent of atrocity crimes committed in Syria truly beggars belief, Türk highlighted.

“Those responsible for serious human rights violations and crimes must be held to account. Concerns of the most serious war crimes and even crimes against humanity have been documented over the years of conflict. The enforced disappearances, the torture, the use of chemical weapons, among other atrocity crimes, must be fully investigated. And then justice must be served, fairly and impartially,” he said. Syrians themselves had told him repeatedly that this is what they want.

The UN Human Rights Office will work in a complementary way with the other human rights mechanisms: the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI), the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), and the newly established Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP).

Transitional justice is crucial as Syria moves forward, a process that the UN Human Rights Office is ready to support together with all rule of law reforms.

“Revenge and vengeance are never the answer. Instead, there needs to be a fully nationally owned, healing, truth telling and reconciliation process,” Türk stressed.

“Women and girls face significant disparities in the country. If one looks at the data, it is clear that gender inequalities limit access to healthcare, education, and safe housing. Rebuilding a Syria that works for all its people, equal in dignity and without discrimination, will be key to its success and stability,” he noted.

“This is really a seminal moment for Syria after decades of repression. My most fervent hope is for all Syrians to be able to thrive together, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity and to build a common future.”

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