34/5 Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Syrian Arab Republic
Document Type: Final Report
Date: 2016 Dec
Session: 34th Regular Session (2017 Feb)
Agenda Item: Item6: Universal Periodic Review
GE.16-22945(E)
Human Rights Council Thirty-fourth session
27 February-24 March 2017
Agenda item 6
Universal periodic review
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review*
Syrian Arab Republic
* The annex is being circulated without formal editing, in the language of submission only.
United Nations A/HRC/34/5
Contents
Page
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process ...................................................................... 3
A. Presentation by the State under review ................................................................................. 3
B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review .............................................. 5
II. Conclusions and/or recommendations ........................................................................................... 12
Annex
Composition of the delegation ...................................................................................................... 28
Introduction
1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance
with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-sixth session from 31 October to
11 November 2016. The review of the Syrian Arab Republic was held at the 2nd meeting,
on 31 October 2016. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic was headed by the
Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations Office at
Geneva, Hussam Edin Aala. At its 10th meeting, held on 4 November 2016, the Working
Group adopted the report on the Syrian Arab Republic.
2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of the Syrian Arab Republic: Bangladesh,
Botswana and Paraguay.
3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents
were issued for the review of the Syrian Arab Republic:
(a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/26/SYR/1);
(b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b)
(A/HRC/WG.6/26/SYR/2);
(c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c)
(A/HRC/WG.6/26/SYR/3 and Corr.1).
4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Mexico,
Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the
United States of America was transmitted to the Syrian Arab Republic through the troika.
These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A. Presentation by the State under review
5. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic reviewed developments since its first
report, including the implementation of accepted recommendations, and described
challenges stemming from the acts of terrorist armed groups supported and financed from
abroad and resulting from unilateral economic measures. The Government had been
obliged to preserve security and the lives of its citizens by combating the crimes and
massacres perpetrated by terrorist groups and foreign terrorists entering its territory from
neighbouring countries to fight alongside terrorist organizations.
6. The Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan since 5 June 1967 constituted the main
impediment to the exercise by Syrian citizens in that area of their economic, social, cultural,
political and civil rights, owing to the oppression and arbitrary detention practised by the
Israeli occupation forces and to the discriminatory policies that had deprived the rightful
owners of Syrian land of their natural resources. Moreover, the confiscation of land and
sources of livelihood for illegal settlement schemes constituted a violation of international
law, international humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly
resolution 497 (1981).
7. In its report, the Syrian Arab Republic had described the normative and institutional
framework for the promotion of human rights, highlighting the Constitution adopted in
2012 and the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights it enshrined. It had also
described the impact of the crisis on human rights and the exceptional circumstances in
which the Government was seeking to comply with its obligations. It had reviewed the
impact of terrorism on the rights to life, security, dignity, health, education, employment,
food and a decent standard of living. It had provided information on the systematic
destruction of basic facilities and of public and private property by terrorists; the methods
adopted to perpetrate manslaughter, enslavement, bondage and forced labour; violations of
the rights to freedom of religion and belief and to celebrate religious rites; forced and child
marriage; the recruitment of children; systematic kidnapping; and collective punishment
through deprivation of water and electricity. It had highlighted the impact of unilateral
coercive measures on Syrian citizens’ enjoyment of the rights to housing, food, medicines,
health care, education, transport and development, as well as the scale of human loss
resulting from air raids conducted by the illegal alliance led by the United States under the
pretext of combating terrorism.
8. Steps had been taken to implement a comprehensive national reform programme and
adopt laws in support of democracy and human rights. The Constitution served as a
guideline for State action and State institutions and as a source of legislation. It enshrined
the basic principles of independence and sovereignty, the rule of the people based on
elections, political pluralism, protection of national unity, cultural diversity, public
freedoms, human rights, social justice, equality of opportunity, citizenship and the rule of
law.
9. The Government had organized and engaged in several rounds of dialogue among
Syrians. In parallel with its efforts to combat terrorism, the Government had opted for
national reconciliation in order to halt the shedding of Syrian blood and to restore normal
living conditions and public services to areas cleared of armed groups. The reconciliation
process had produced results in a number of areas and amnesty decrees had been adopted.
The most recent was decree No. 15, which had been issued on 28 July 2016 by the
President, Bashar al-Assad, and then extended for three months on 27 October 2016.
10. As for the accepted recommendations calling for a peaceful settlement based on a
national dialogue, the Government had entered into an inter-Syrian dialogue with a view to
achieving a political settlement to the crisis that would enable Syrians to exercise their
inalienable right to determine the future of their country without foreign interference. The
Government continued to advocate seriously for a comprehensive national dialogue
involving all Syrians, as the only means, alongside combating terrorism, of ending the
crisis.
11. As for the development of national legislation, a legal reform plan developed in
2012 had provided for the review and enactment of several laws pertaining to women’s and
children’s rights and to civil and political rights. The Code of Civil Procedure had been
amended, steps had been taken to amend the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal
Procedure and the draft law on children’s rights had almost been completed. Practical steps
had been taken to implement the act on combating trafficking in persons and to criminalize
the involvement of children in armed conflict.
12. With regard to cooperation with the Human Rights Council mechanisms, the
Government had hosted the Special Rapporteurs on the human rights of internally displaced
persons, on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
physical and mental health and on the right to food. It was considering requests for visits
from the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and
the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and
impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination. It had invited the
Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the
enjoyment of human rights. It had twice received the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. It was awaiting a visit from the Envoy of
the Secretary-General on Youth.
13. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
had adopted, since its establishment, a selective and politicized approach.
Micromanagement of the work of the Commission of Inquiry by States involved in the war
against the Syrian Arab Republic, by means of politicized resolutions circulated to the
Security Council before each report, had converted the Commission of Inquiry and its
reports into an utterly biased platform against the Government.
14. The Government had submitted periodic and follow-up reports to the Committee on
the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women. The submission of a second national report to the Working Group on the Universal
Periodic Review reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to a constructive
interactive dialogue, as did its voluntary commitment to promoting the universality of
human rights.
15. The Government was about to establish a national human rights institution in
compliance with principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion
and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles).
16. As for the recommendations concerning the strengthening of national mechanisms to
investigate human rights violations, the criminal courts tried all cases of violence and
enforced disappearance and prosecuted the perpetrators pursuant to the relevant Syrian
legislation. As for the right to liberty and the amendment of the regulations governing
detention, article 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, concerning the period for which
suspects could be detained in the case of offences against State security and public safety,
had been amended. A joint military investigation committee had been created to investigate
complaints against army and police officers. The committee had investigated complaints,
disciplinary penalties had been imposed and those found guilty had been referred to the
relevant courts. A total of 282 complaints had been dealt with by the committee prior to the
preparation of the report. The definition of the crime of torture in the new draft Criminal
Code was in line with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment. As for the protection of persons from enforced
disappearance, Act No. 20 of 2013 criminalized all forms of kidnapping and prescribed
severe penalties for the perpetrators.
17. Regarding humanitarian access, the Syrian Arab Republic had cooperated with the
United Nations and other international organizations in the framework of successive
response plans based on the guiding principles set out in General Assembly resolution
46/182, which included respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of
States and compliance with the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. For the
Government, meeting the humanitarian needs of its people constituted a permanent and
fundamental obligation.
18. Moreover, the number of steps required by humanitarian organizations to obtain
consent from the authorities for the passage of humanitarian assistance and relief convoys
had been reviewed and reduced from eight to just two.
B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
19. During the interactive dialogue, 71 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
20. The Islamic Republic of Iran stated that the country had been facing a terrorist
insurrection that had gravely affected human rights. It expressed concern about the
difficulties faced in ensuring the rights of children in the occupied Syrian Golan.
21. Iraq welcomed the efforts made to respect international human rights treaties given
the crisis prevailing since 2011 and the attacks perpetrated by terrorist groups.
22. Ireland condemned the atrocities committed by the Syrian Arab Republic and its
allies, including the deliberate targeting of civilians, the suppression of protests, forced
displacement and mass detention without trial.
23. The Syrian Arab Republic raised a point of order. It pointed out that speakers were
required, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, to use diplomatic language
when addressing the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review.
24. The President of the Human Rights Council encouraged all speakers to use standard
United Nations terminology in the interactive dialogue.
25. Israel stated that the national report presented an imaginary picture. It was appalled
by the atrocities perpetrated in the country, including the use by the Syrian Arab Republic
of gas and barrel bombs against its own people.
26. Italy deplored the gross violations of human rights and considered the Government
of the Syrian Arab Republic to be primarily responsible. Italy was extremely concerned
about the violations perpetrated in Aleppo.
27. Japan condemned the use of sieges and the inducement of starvation as means of
warfare, the extreme limitation imposed on access to daily necessities and the repeated
attacks on medical facilities.
28. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic noted that, despite the conditions prevailing
in the country, the Government had made efforts to strengthen human rights and, in
particular, to empower women.
29. Latvia recalled the concerns regarding the human rights situation expressed on
previous occasions, particularly during the sessions of the Human Rights Council.
30. Luxembourg expressed concern regarding the security and humanitarian situation. It
deplored the fact that many of the recommendations accepted during the first cycle had not
been implemented.
31. Maldives condemned the human rights violations committed in the Syrian Arab
Republic and urged all parties to the conflict to find a political solution to the violence.
32. Mexico expressed concern about the worsening human rights situation and
encouraged the Syrian Arab Republic to improve its cooperation with the international
human rights system.
33. Montenegro asked about progress made to ensure the protection of children from
recruitment as child soldiers. It encouraged the Government to enhance cooperation with
the treaty bodies and the special procedures.
34. Namibia was concerned about the conflict in the country, which had had an impact
on the region and the world. The loss of lives and the financial implications of the conflict
were horrendous and should be stopped.
35. The Netherlands stated that the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic had
succeeded, in just a few years, in destroying the entire meaning of Syrian civilization,
which had developed over millenniums.
36. New Zealand remained concerned at the grave and deteriorating human rights
situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, which had both helped cause the current conflict and
was exacerbated by it.
37. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic rejected the lessons in human rights
offered by Israel, given that country’s long record of violating all human rights, as
documented in many United Nations reports. Israel had been exploiting the current situation
in the region to consolidate its occupation of the Golan, in flagrant violation of relevant
Security Council resolutions, particularly 497 (1981), and by supporting Nusrah Front
terrorists along the disengagement zone.
38. The Syrian armed forces had complied fully with the obligation to protect civilians
from the atrocities committed by armed terrorist groups. The situation in Aleppo afforded
conclusive evidence of those heinous crimes, including the indiscriminate shelling of
residential neighbourhoods, markets, schools and hospitals in western parts of the city by
terrorist groups, keeping a hold on some parts of the city and using civilians there as human
shields.
39. Concerning humanitarian assistance to the so-called besieged areas, the sieges were
not imposed by the Government but by the armed terrorist groups. The Government had
cooperated with the United Nations in the delivery of assistance to all areas. According to
the available data, relief had been provided on a monthly basis, under the response
programmes and in cooperation with humanitarian agencies, to about 4.5 million
beneficiaries in all parts of the country without exception. Since the beginning of 2016, the
Government had facilitated the implementation of additional monthly response plans aimed
at providing assistance to unstable areas, in cooperation with United Nations humanitarian
agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). According to the most
recent high relief committee data, humanitarian and health-care assistance had been
provided to 1,553,402 beneficiaries in 79 districts during the period from January to August
2016.
40. As for Aleppo, the Government had complied with its obligations under the
agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States on the cessation of
hostilities, while the groups supported by the United States had continued to attack army
positions and residential areas. Six safe passages had been created for humanitarian relief
and two such passages had been created for the evacuation of militants. However, the
armed groups had targeted the passages and threatened those attempting to flee.
41. The State had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Act No. 11 of 2013 had amended
the Criminal Code to criminalize the recruitment of children. A national committee had
been established to document violations of children’s rights, to combat the recruitment of
children by armed groups and to treat those children as victims.
42. The Government was prepared to cooperate with those Human Rights Council
mechanisms that were interested in securing a consensus but not with those whose approach
was conducive to polarization. The results of the votes in the Council on resolutions
pertaining to the work of the Commission of Inquiry demonstrated the scale of the discord
concerning its mandate.
43. Responding to Luxembourg, the delegation stressed that so-called barrel bombs did
not exist in the Syrian army records and that the army used conventional weapons, targeting
only terrorists who threatened civilians.
44. The Government invited the United Nations to conduct an inquiry into the first
incident involving chemical weapons, which had occurred in Aleppo in 2013, and noted
that the Governments currently raising concerns had delayed the inquiry at the time. The
Syrian Arab Republic was party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction and was
committed to fulfilling its obligations under that convention. Moreover, it had provided the
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons with information on the storage and
use of such weapons by terrorist groups in several parts of the country. The Government
condemned the use of chemical weapons by terrorists on Syrian territory.
45. The delegation reassured Namibia and Slovenia that the Government was
considering all aspects of cases of discrimination against women and was determined to
address them.
46. Nicaragua reiterated its solidarity with the people and the Government of the Syrian
Arab Republic for having faced, for several years, an internal conflict exacerbated by
external aggression.
47. Nigeria noted that, despite the challenges faced by the country, which had been
caused by both internal and external factors, the Government had reaffirmed its
determination to observe the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
48. France stated that the bombing of civilians, the targeting of humanitarian actors and
hospitals and the use of famine as a weapon by the Syrian Arab Republic and its allies
could constitute war crimes.
49. Pakistan encouraged the Syrian Arab Republic to continue implementing the
recommendations arising from the universal periodic review. It remained concerned about
the violence and the human rights abuses being committed by all parties to the conflict.
50. Portugal was concerned about the human rights and international humanitarian law
violations and about the verified cases of recruitment and use of children in hostilities and
of child abduction.
51. The Republic of Korea regretted the disgraceful human rights violations carried out
by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the killing, arbitrary detention, torture,
summary execution of and sexual violence committed against the Syrian population.
52. The Russian Federation said that the Syrian Arab Republic had been tackling
humanitarian problems and providing services. In those circumstances, the Government in
Damascus should continue to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian
and human rights law.
53. Rwanda reminded the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic of its responsibility
to protect its population and condemned the widespread and systematic violations of
international human rights and humanitarian law.
54. Sierra Leone encouraged the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to make more
efforts to stop trafficking and end sexual violence and slavery. All parties must cease air
strikes to enable humanitarian assistance to reach those in need. It emphasized that
international humanitarian norms must be respected.
55. Singapore was concerned about the humanitarian crisis and urged the Government to
do its utmost to alleviate the impact of the conflict and uphold the human rights of Syrians,
particularly women, children and the elderly.
56. Slovenia was gravely concerned at the continuing reports of human rights violations
against the most vulnerable groups and at the cycle of violence and loss of human life.
57. Spain welcomed the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic and appreciated its
involvement in the universal periodic review.
58. The Sudan considered that the coercive unilateral measures exacerbated the bad
situation and impeded the enjoyment of fundamental rights. It urged all parties to end the
violence and find a peaceful solution to the humanitarian crisis.
59. Sweden noted that the humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic continued
to deteriorate in besieged areas and that the delivery of humanitarian assistance continued
to be severely hampered by a number of factors.
60. Norway was concerned about reports of systematic violations of international
humanitarian and human rights law by the authorities. It noted reports that the Government
had carried out attacks and bombardments against civilians.
61. Thailand remained concerned about the deteriorating situation and violations of
human rights owing to the intensification of attacks, particularly against civilians and
medical facilities. Thailand called upon all parties to exert every effort to end the
destruction and violence and to achieve peace.
62. The Syrian delegation deplored the allegations of war crimes made by France and
called upon the French delegation to convey its recommendations to its own authorities,
especially since French warplanes, acting as part of the illegal United States-led alliance,
had killed 120 civilians in the Syrian Arab Republic in May 2016.
63. Despite exceptional circumstances and challenges, the Syrian Arab Republic had
fully implemented the majority of the recommendations accepted during the first cycle of
the universal periodic review.
64. The Government was preparing a national strategy for women and a programme to
respond to gender-based violence. Access to education had been secured for more than 4
million children every year.
65. The State had accepted the Security Council resolutions mentioned by Sweden but
also underlined the importance of the following Council resolutions concerning terrorism:
2170 (2014), 2178 (2014) and 2253 (2015).
66. The delegation said that secret detention centres did not exist in the Syrian Arab
Republic, rejecting allegations of torture and arbitrary detention made by certain
delegations. The Government cooperated voluntarily with ICRC, allowing it to visit
prisons.
67. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia condemned the use by the Syrian
authorities of barrel bombs, cluster munitions and weapons causing atrocities among
civilians, and urged the Government to lift the blockade on the besieged areas most affected
by the conflict.
68. Turkey categorically rejected the baseless allegations made in the national report and
noted that the suffering experienced by the Syrian people had reached unimaginable levels.
The Syrian authorities had to be held accountable for their crimes against humanity.
69. Ukraine stated that the Government had not taken appropriate measures to protect
human rights and ensure their application in practice, and urged the Syrian authorities and
all parties to the conflict to allow immediate and sustained humanitarian access throughout
the Syrian Arab Republic.
70. The United Kingdom condemned the constant and appalling abuse of human rights,
the killing of civilians and the arbitrary arrests involving hundreds of thousands of people.
It noted that the Syrian Arab Republic was rightly subject to the most stringent mechanisms
of the Human Rights Council.
71. The United States stated that, since the 2011 uprising, the Government had
continued to engage in flagrant violations, atrocities and abuses, all of which had been
documented by the Commission of Inquiry. It reiterated its call for an immediate end to all
violations and abuses, and for the accountability of perpetrators.
72. Uruguay thanked the Syrian Arab Republic for its presentation of the national report
and regretted the situation of extreme violence across the country, which had serious effects
on the civilian population.
73. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted that the Government had reiterated its
commitment to human rights through its participation in the universal periodic review and
reiterated its support to the Syrian Arab Republic for maintaining national unity and
fighting terrorism.
74. Algeria noted the difficult situation of the country, which was engaged in a five-year
war against terrorism, and the Government’s efforts to decrease the impact of the crisis on
civilians.
75. Angola congratulated the Government for the continued cooperation with the human
rights mechanisms but noted with concern the deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Angola urged all parties to the conflict to exhaust all diplomatic options to put an end to
hostilities.
76. Argentina noted with regret that hospitals, medical units and staff, humanitarian
convoys, international bodies and schools had been targeted by the military, in
contravention of international norms.
77. Australia condemned the violations and the abuse of human rights and international
humanitarian law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic. Not only had the Government
failed to protect the human rights of its people but it had committed some of the conflict’s
worst atrocities.
78. Austria pointed out that the violations of international humanitarian law and the
accountability of the Government for the horrors suffered by the Syrian people throughout
the conflict had been addressed by the Human Rights Council in regular and special
sessions.
79. Belarus was concerned about the unilateral coercive measures and considered that it
was of paramount importance to restore peace in order to ensure respect for human rights.
Belarus was particularly concerned about violations of the right to life.
80. Belgium deplored the systematic and widespread gross violations of human rights
and international humanitarian law, in particular enforced disappearances and arbitrary
arrests, and the impact of the conflict on children.
81. Botswana took note of the efforts made by the Syrian Arab Republic to address
human rights issues despite a long political crisis. Botswana believed that only a stop to
hostilities could bring the country towards peace and stability.
82. Brazil acknowledged the efforts of the Government to protect religious minorities in
an increasingly deteriorating scenario.
83. Burundi welcomed the efforts of the Government to improve the human rights
situation despite the difficult situation prevailing in the country owing to terrorism. Burundi
appreciated the efforts made by the Government to re-establish peace and security
throughout the country.
84. Canada considered that the indiscriminate attacks carried out by the Government and
its backers on civilians and civilian infrastructures, including the deliberate targeting of
medical facilities and personnel, amounted to gross violations of international humanitarian
and human rights law.
85. Chile was concerned at the lack of substantial progress towards peace, condemned
all violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the
conflict and expressed solidarity with all victims.
86. China stated that the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the
Syrian Arab Republic must be fully respected and that the international community should
seek an acceptable solution to the conflict within a Syrian-led process.
87. Costa Rica condemned the violent repression of civilian protests and the widespread
violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by all parties.
88. Croatia called upon all sides to allow humanitarian aid to reach Aleppo. It especially
encouraged the Syrian Arab Republic to fully cooperate with the international community
in that regard.
89. Cuba reiterated its trust that the Syrian people would be able to resolve their
differences by themselves and called for an end to foreign interference in domestic affairs.
90. Czechia appreciated the responses provided by the delegation to some of the
questions it had transmitted in advance of the meeting and expressed grave concern about
the suffering of civilians.
91. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea commended the Government for its
efforts to protect human rights while combating terrorism and wished it success in its
struggle to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
92. Denmark strongly condemned the gross human rights violations committed by the
Syrian Arab Republic and deplored the attacks on essential civilian infrastructure. It
reminded the Government of its duty to implement Security Council resolutions 2139
(2014) and 2254 (2015).
93. Ecuador acknowledged the efforts made to follow up on the recommendations from
the first review, especially in the midst of the escalating violence by terrorist and irregular
armed groups supported by other States in violation of national sovereignty.
94. Egypt was concerned about the human rights developments resulting from the war
and called upon the Human Rights Council to address, within its mandate, the root causes
of the conflict, including the support provided to and the proliferation of terrorist groups. It
supported the international efforts to achieve peace.
95. El Salvador expressed concern about the human rights situation of vulnerable groups
suffering the consequences of the armed conflict. El Salvador called upon all parties to
search for lasting solutions.
96. Estonia noted that the Syrian Arab Republic had failed to comply with its
obligations under international law and that those responsible for war crimes and crimes
against humanity must be held accountable. It called upon all parties to cease the hostilities
and urgently ensure access for humanitarian aid.
97. Finland regretted the significant deterioration in the human rights situation owing to
the disregard shown by the Government for its international and domestic obligations.
Finland stressed the importance of implementing an inclusive political transition process.
98. Switzerland was concerned at the extent of the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian
Arab Republic, the systematic use of torture and the lack of independence of the judiciary,
and called upon the Government to take all available measures to protect civilians.
99. Georgia expressed its solidarity with the Syrian people and remained concerned at
the extremely grave human rights and humanitarian situation.
100. Germany stated that it felt awkward holding a “standard” universal periodic review
session on the Syrian Arab Republic given that the gravest of human rights violations were
currently taking place in that country.
101. Ghana encouraged the Government to continue the United Nations-backed dialogue
aimed at resolving the conflict.
102. Guatemala called for the immediate cessation of all violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law and for unfettered access for humanitarian aid.
103. The Holy See welcomed the Syrian delegation and the presentation of its second
national report.
104. Hungary was gravely concerned by the attacks on civilians carried out by all parties
but mainly by government forces. It emphasized the need for a negotiated political solution
and a full cessation of hostilities.
105. Iceland called for an immediate end to indiscriminate aerial bombardments, the use
of heavy and chemical weapons and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. It stressed
that widespread impunity and the rejection of cooperation with OHCHR, in particular the
Commission of Inquiry, was not acceptable.
106. Indonesia appreciated the active participation by the Syrian Arab Republic in the
universal periodic review and hoped that the Government would maintain its commitment
to engaging with other human rights mechanisms. It called upon all parties to immediately
end all human rights and humanitarian law violations.
107. The Syrian delegation stated that denial did not relieve Turkey from its
responsibility for opening its borders to supporters of terrorism in the Syrian Arab Republic
and for exploiting and trading the suffering of Syrians for political and financial benefit.
108. Commenting on the remarks of the United Kingdom, the delegation stressed that the
legitimacy of Governments came from their own people, not from other Governments
seeking to revive extinct colonial glories. The delegation rejected the recommendations
made by the United Kingdom and the United States, whose delegates should direct them to
their own Governments. The United Kingdom and the United States should refrain from
supporting terrorism and attacking Syrian sovereignty and halt their mendacious
campaigns.
II. Conclusions and/or recommendations
109. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below
will be examined by the Syrian Arab Republic, which will provide responses in due
time, but no later than the thirty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council.
109.1 Consider ratifying all core human rights conventions (Algeria);
109.2 Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death
penalty (Montenegro) (Uruguay) (Rwanda);
109.3 Ratify the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture
(Guatemala);
** The conclusions and recommendations have not been edited.
109.4 Become party to the Optional Protocols to the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (El Salvador);
109.5 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
(Uruguay);
109.6 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Uruguay);
109.7 Ratify and accede to the International Convention for the
Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and withdraw its
reservations to articles 2 and 15 (4) of the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (Sierra Leone);
109.8 Ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (Uruguay);
109.9 Ratify the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-
Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Holy See);
109.10 Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
(Uruguay) (Croatia); Accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court (Montenegro);
109.11 Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and
accede to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International
Criminal Court (Sweden);
109.12 Accede to the Rome Statute and adapt national legislation,
including by incorporating provisions to rapidly and fully cooperate with the
International Criminal Court (Guatemala);
109.13 Ratify and effectively implement the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court, the International Convention for the Protection
of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Optional Protocol to the
Convention against Torture (Czechia);
109.14 Amend the Penal Code and the Criminal Code to eliminate
mitigated sentences for rapists who marry their victims for so-called “honour
crimes” (Sierra Leone);
109.15 Adopt national legislation criminalizing domestic violence (Sierra
Leone);
109.16 Enact the child rights bill (Maldives);
109.17 Strengthen its institutional framework to allow it to defend its
sovereignty and protect the human rights of its people (Nicaragua);
109.18 Continue to promote dialogue with all States, on the basis of
mutual respect, sovereign equality, self-determination and the right to choose
their own political, economic and social system (Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea);
109.19 Implement Security Council resolutions in order to facilitate a
(peaceful) political transition led by the Syrian people and based on the Geneva
communiqué (Guatemala);
109.20 Implement the cessation of hostilities agreement to achieve a full,
comprehensive ceasefire which will provide the grounds for improving human
rights (Egypt);
109.21 Continue protecting its population from the effects of unilateral
coercive measures imposed on the country and consider establishing a national
mechanism to monitor and assess the negative impact of such measures on the
country (Nicaragua);
109.22 Continue taking measures to face the perverse effects of the illegal
coercive unilateral measures imposed on the country by some powers
(Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
109.23 Establish a national mechanism to monitor and assess the negative
effects of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights of the
Syrian people (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
109.24 Continue disclosing human rights violations by the Israeli regime
in the Occupied Syrian Golan and other Arab territories (Islamic Republic of
Iran);
109.25 Continue its efforts for the full realization of the rights of Syrian
children in the occupied Syrian Golan (Islamic Republic of Iran);
109.26 Continue strengthening State institutions for the protection of its
people, giving special attention to the defence of human rights (Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela);
109.27 Consider the possibility of establishing a national human rights
institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Russian Federation);
109.28 Consider establishing an independent national human rights
institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Algeria);
109.29 Strengthen the work of all existing national human rights
institutions in the Syrian Arab Republic (Indonesia);
109.30 Adopt a national plan to promote and protect the rights of all
women and girls, in particular those victims of the conflict, making sure that
resources for its implementation are available (Chile);
109.31 Cooperate with the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for
Syria in order to immediately establish a negotiated and sustainable ceasefire in
Aleppo (Italy);
109.32 Work jointly with the mechanisms of the United Nations system,
in particular the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria (Argentina);
109.33 Continue cooperating with the international community to
alleviate the effects of the crisis on Syrian citizens (Nicaragua);
109.34 Preserve its model of peaceful coexistence of different religious
faiths and cultural identities, which was working so well in the Syrian Arab
Republic until a few years ago; Continue raising awareness about the dangers
of excluding ideologies (Nicaragua);
109.35 Continue efforts to restore security and stability and to achieve a
national comprehensive reconciliation (Nigeria);
109.36 Intensify its efforts to cooperate with the international community
to alleviate the repercussions of the crisis on Syrian citizens (Nigeria);
109.37 Cooperate with the internal United Nations board of inquiry on its
investigation into attacks on the United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent
relief operation (Republic of Korea);
109.38 Bring in humanitarian assistance, including food and medical
supplies, to all civilians in need, without discrimination (Egypt);
109.39 Ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access in compliance
with Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258
(2015) and 2268 (2016) (Sweden);
109.40 Continue to engage all international bodies which are involved in
the implementation of humanitarian assistance, such as ICRC, the
International Organization for Migration and the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (Indonesia);
109.41 Immediately open humanitarian access and unconditionally
permit access for the Commission of Inquiry (Italy);
109.42 Issue a standing invitation to all thematic special procedures and
cooperate fully with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, including
the Commission of Inquiry (Rwanda);
109.43 Cooperate fully with OHCHR, the Human Rights Council and its
mechanisms, in particular the Commission of Inquiry (Latvia);
109.44 Allow access to its territory to the Commission of Inquiry and
cooperate fully with the Commission (Luxembourg);
109.45 Allow the Commission of Inquiry access and allow it to carry out
its work freely (Mexico); Cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry and allow
it to access the Syrian Arab Republic (Sierra Leone);
109.46 Allow access to the country by the Commission of Inquiry
(Portugal);
109.47 Implement all recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry,
while fully cooperating with the Commission and allowing it access into the
Syrian Arab Republic (New Zealand);
109.48 Facilitate humanitarian access to civilians, lift the blockade on all
besieged areas and grant full and unimpeded access to the Commission of
Inquiry (Slovenia);
109.49 End impunity through a thorough, independent inquiry into all
human rights violations allegations, as previously recommended, including by
giving access to the Commission of Inquiry (Spain);
109.50 Cooperate with the Human Rights Council and allow full access to
the Commission of Inquiry in its territory (the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia);
109.51 Provide the Commission of Inquiry with full cooperation
(Uruguay);
109.52 Allow full access to and cooperate fully with the Commission of
Inquiry and civil society monitors (Australia);
109.53 Organize on-site visits by the Commission of Inquiry and establish
a dialogue with the Commission (Brazil);
109.54 Adopt a policy of cooperation with OHCHR and other United
Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry, and
allow these mechanisms to visit the country (Chile);
109.55 Provide and ensure unfettered access to the country for the
Commission of Inquiry (Costa Rica);
109.56 Start full cooperation with the Commission of Inquiry, including
by ensuring access to the country so that it may carry out its mandate
(Croatia);
109.57 Ensure immediate and unhindered access by the Commission of
Inquiry and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council to the country
and provide them with all necessary assistance (Czechia);
109.58 Cooperate fully with relevant United Nations authorities, in
particular by guaranteeing access to the Syrian territory for the Commission of
Inquiry (Switzerland);
109.59 Provide without delay unhindered, safe and sustained access and
full cooperation to independent human rights actors, including OHCHR, the
Commission of Inquiry and special procedure mandate holders (Georgia);
109.60 Grant full access to the Commission of Inquiry, to allow the
Commission to undertake investigations inside the country and thus to enable it
to fulfil its mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human
rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic (Germany);
109.61 Allow complete and unfettered access to the Commission of
Inquiry and implement all Human Rights Council resolutions on the human
rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic (Guatemala);
109.62 Fully cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry (Iceland);
109.63 Fully cooperate with the United Nations and the international
community to resume the political process as soon as possible (Japan);
109.64 Continue supporting international efforts to find a peaceful
solution to the crisis, through a Syrian-Syrian dialogue led by the Syrian Arab
Republic in a spirit of peace and reconciliation and without foreign
interference, based on the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, self-
determination and the right of peoples to choose their own political, economic
and social systems (Nicaragua);
109.65 Redouble its efforts towards reaching a political settlement to the
crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic through comprehensive dialogue with all
parties (Sudan);
109.66 Continue its efforts to strengthen national reconciliation and
national dialogue (Sudan);
109.67 Continue international cooperation and support international
efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive settlement to the crisis in the
Syrian Arab Republic (Sudan);
109.68 Continue participating in opportunities for the search to an end to
the crisis and achieve peace and stability in the country, under the principles of
respect of independence, international legality and sovereignty of the Syrian
Arab Republic (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
109.69 Continue supporting dialogue and international efforts to move
towards a political solution, which is the exclusive responsibility of the Syrian
people in their own right to self-determination without any foreign interference
(Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);
109.70 Continue to seek a political solution to the crisis based on dialogue
and reconciliation between the Syrian parties without foreign intervention in
the internal affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic (Algeria);
109.71 Resume efforts to find a negotiated political solution to the Syrian
people’s tragedy (Argentina);
109.72 Continue endeavours to advance the process of political settlement
to the Syrian issue (China);
109.73 Maintain the position that the solution to the crisis in the country
is political and should be based on a national dialogue under the aegis of the
Syrian people and without preconditions (Cuba);
109.74 Work diligently to stop the war and end the conflict in the Syrian
Arab Republic by bringing all efforts to achieve a political settlement by the
Syrians themselves and have control over it in accordance with the Geneva
communiqué (Egypt);
109.75 Renew all efforts to foster dialogue and to find a political solution
to the ongoing conflict so as to bring stability to society through the protection
of the human rights of all civilians (Holy See);
109.76 Respect and fully engage in international efforts towards a
political settlement (Iceland);
109.77 Facilitate and enhance the dialogue process among all relevant
stakeholders in the Syrian Arab Republic in order to find a lasting, peaceful
solution and to immediately end any form of violence and destruction of civil
and public facilities (Indonesia);
109.78 Continue its efforts towards national reconciliation (Cuba);
109.79 Cooperate with the United Nations human rights mechanisms
(Republic of Korea);
109.80 Extend a standing invitation to all special representatives of the
United Nations (the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia); Issue standing
invitations to all special procedure mandate holders (Ghana);
109.81 Make efforts to improve cooperation with human rights
mechanisms and special procedures by extending to them a standing invitation
(El Salvador);
109.82 Cooperate with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances (Belgium);
109.83 Allow independent access to United Nations entities, including
OHCHR, to all areas, to enable them to monitor the prevailing human rights
situation (Ghana);
109.84 Strengthen the deployment of specific measures to foster the
rights of vulnerable social groups, including children, adolescents, women,
refugees and internally displaced people, as well as persons with disabilities
(Ecuador);
109.85 Immediately implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000)
and related resolutions on women and peace and security, including by taking
special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and to
hold perpetrators of such acts accountable (Finland);
109.86 Continue and strengthen efforts in the fight for gender equality
(Nicaragua);
109.87 Strengthen and expand the relevant legal provisions for the
promotion of the rights of women, in particular by strengthening their
autonomy and advancing their participation in political, economic and social
life (Nicaragua);
109.88 Take steps to incorporate provisions on gender equality and
discrimination against women in the Constitution or national legislation (El
Salvador);
109.89 Continue to enhance women’s empowerment and greater
representation in all sectors (Lao People’s Democratic Republic);
109.90 Amend the citizenship law of 1969, which prevents women from
granting citizenship to their children, to ensure women’s right to grant
citizenship to their children (Namibia);
109.91 Conduct a review of the personal status law and other relevant
laws, which will remove the provisions that are discriminatory towards women,
such as those not granting them guardianship of their children, disabling them
from travelling on their own with their children or not allowing them to
transfer their citizenship to their children (Czechia);
109.92 Repeal all discriminatory provisions in the personal status code
and ensure equality of rights between men and women (Ghana);
109.93 Protect the rights of children (Pakistan);
109.94 Continue to protect human rights and especially the rights of
children (Angola);
109.95 Immediately comply with its obligations under international law
and abolish the use of illegal weapons (Portugal);
109.96 Stop and investigate military operations targeting civilians and
their facilities, especially in Aleppo (Republic of Korea);
109.97 Ensure that all violations of international humanitarian and
human rights law cease immediately (Rwanda);
109.98 Cease all violations of international humanitarian and human
rights law, including indiscriminate attacks on medical workers and facilities,
schools, civilian infrastructure and the civilian population (Slovenia);
109.99 Protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, in accordance with
international humanitarian law and customary international law, and stop its
indiscriminate aerial bombardments, including the use of barrel bombs
(Sweden);
109.100 Step up measures to bring an end to attacks against hospitals and
their personnel, humanitarian and health units, and humanitarian convoys, and
bring perpetrators to justice (Argentina);
109.101 Take all measures to protect civilians, especially women and
children, and cease the use of explosive weapons in populated areas
(Botswana);
109.102 Immediately cease all acts of violence and abuses committed
against civilians and allow for the effective, timely and unfettered delivery of
humanitarian assistance, particularly in hard-to-reach and besieged areas
(Canada);
109.103 Protect the civilian population in the armed conflict, with
particular emphasis on the rights to life, food, education and health, including
through the protection of the medical impartiality, and ensure accountability
for all cases of violations and abuses of international human rights law and
international humanitarian law (Czechia);
109.104 Take immediate measures in order to comply with obligations
under international humanitarian law and international human rights law
(Georgia);
109.105 Abide by the laws of war, especially by immediately ending all
deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against civilians
(Hungary);
109.106 Immediately end all human rights violations and repression
against the civilian population (Iceland);
109.107 End the indiscriminate bombing of residential areas and the
targeting of civil facilities, including schools and hospitals (Italy);
109.108 Cease without any delay deliberate and indiscriminate attacks
against civilians, as well as the targeting of hospitals and schools, including
through the use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons (Luxembourg);
109.109 Cease all bombings and ground attacks, including those
conducted with the aid of its allies (Maldives);
109.110 Immediately cease all violations of international humanitarian
law, including all targeted or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian
infrastructure and on medical facilities and personnel, and also immediately
cease the indiscriminate use of weapons (New Zealand);
109.111 Put an end to indiscriminate attacks on civilians, ensure the
protection of hospitals and medical staff and allow the passage of humanitarian
relief (Spain);
109.112 Immediately cease all aerial bombardments over Aleppo
(Norway);
109.113 Cease immediately all bombings and indiscriminate attacks with
any sort of ammunition, against civilians and civilian assets such as hospitals
and schools (Uruguay);
109.114 Comply with its binding legal obligation to protect citizens, desist
from using illegal arms and adopt the necessary measures so that, in line with
the report of the Commission of Inquiry, the indiscriminate and
disproportionate attacks on the civilian population cease immediately (Costa
Rica);
109.115 Abide by international humanitarian law, including by refraining
from all deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against the
civilian population and civilian infrastructure such as medical facilities
(Finland);
109.116 End all indiscriminate bombings of residential areas, hospitals
and all other civilian targets with immediate effect (Germany);
109.117 Take all necessary measures to avoid the bombing of medical
units, respect the principle of medical neutrality and grant special protection to
medical units as allowed by international law (Ghana);
109.118 Fulfil its obligations, including under the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical
Weapons and on Their Destruction and international humanitarian law, and
cease all deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against
civilians (Australia);
109.119 Authorize and facilitate the medical evacuation of civilians
(Brazil);
109.120 Take measures to ensure respect for the basic rights of the people,
such as their rights to food and safe drinking water, as well as welfare, such as
health care, during times of conflict (Thailand);
109.121 Strengthen the protection of hospitals and school infrastructure in
conflict zones (Angola);
109.122 Cease attacks and prevent further strikes on medical facilities
(Australia);
109.123 Take measures to allow for the immediate, safe and unimpeded
access of humanitarian assistance to all persons in need, allow for the visit of
humanitarian agents to all places of detention and protect humanitarian agents
and medical personnel operating in areas that are under siege or hard to reach
(Brazil);
109.124 Cooperate fully with the United Nations to ensure rapid, safe and
unhindered humanitarian access to those in dire need (Botswana);
109.125 Facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in all areas
affected by the current civil war (Rwanda);
109.126 Enable full and unimpeded humanitarian access to all besieged
and hard-to-reach areas and that all parties to the conflict take constructive
actions (Japan);
109.127 Allow access by humanitarian personnel to vulnerable
populations in need of assistance and cooperate fully with the United Nations
humanitarian organizations (Maldives);
109.128 Urgently provide essential and indispensable food and medical
supplies to besieged areas and facilitate the arrival of unrestricted
humanitarian aid and assistance, in particular to the areas most affected by the
conflict (Namibia);
109.129 Immediately allow unrestricted humanitarian access to all areas,
particularly those defined by the United Nations as besieged and hard to reach,
on the basis of needs identified by the United Nations and its implementing
partners (New Zealand);
109.130 Guarantee and widen humanitarian access (Republic of Korea);
109.131 Provide immediate, full, unhindered and sustained humanitarian
access to the country (Norway);
109.132 Allow access without restrictions for United Nations humanitarian
assistance and independent humanitarian organizations (Uruguay);
109.133 Take concrete measures to facilitate and ensure access to
humanitarian assistance, especially for affected civilians and vulnerable groups
in conflict areas (Thailand);
109.134 Avoid besieging, and ensure for the population access to food,
basic services and medical assistance (Uruguay);
109.135 Facilitate access for humanitarian aid and humanitarian
personnel to the Syrian territory, especially in remote areas and areas most
affected by the conflict (Chile);
109.136 Redouble efforts to establish safe and neutral corridors for
humanitarian evacuations (Costa Rica);
109.137 Strengthen efforts focusing on facilitating and ensuring access of
humanitarian aid, particularly in the areas of armed conflict, and on protecting
the civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, including by
maintaining and strengthening cooperation with ICRC (Ecuador);
109.138 Facilitate rapid and unrestricted humanitarian access for United
Nations humanitarian agencies in order to provide assistance to all civilians in
need (Georgia);
109.139 Immediately grant full and unconditional humanitarian access for
the United Nations to the entire country, especially to the territories under siege
by government forces (Germany);
109.140 Grant unimpeded access by humanitarian personnel to
populations in need of assistance (Ghana);
109.141 Ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access, in the territories
under control, to all people in need (Hungary);
109.142 Allow for the free and unimpeded access of human rights
observers, humanitarian organizations, medical teams and ambulances to
affected areas (Iceland);
109.143 Allow the United Nations humanitarian agencies full and
unconditional countrywide humanitarian access (Latvia);
109.144 Ensure the safe passage, without the risk of attacks, of
humanitarian convoys, allowing for safe, unhindered and sustained
humanitarian access, and the evacuation of civilians in need of medical
assistance (Luxembourg);
109.145 Guarantee unrestricted and unconditional access for medical
personnel and vehicles and humanitarian assistance, particularly in the city of
Aleppo, which has been severely affected in recent weeks (Mexico);
109.146 Ensure accountability for the systematic and widespread
violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international
humanitarian law that are being committed on a large scale throughout the
Syrian Arab Republic by all parties, some of which may amount to crimes
against humanity (Portugal);
109.147 Hold all those responsible for violations and abuses of
international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian
law, accountable in accordance with international standards (Sweden);
109.148 Allow for thorough, transparent and independent investigations
into all reports of alleged human rights violations and abuses, as well as
violations of international humanitarian and human rights law since March
2011, and bring the perpetrators to justice (Canada);
109.149 Combat impunity by ensuring that all persons guilty of what
could constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity are brought to justice
(Luxembourg);
109.150 Lift immediately sieges and allow full, sustained and unimpeded
humanitarian access to civilians in need (Australia);
109.151 Establish a moratorium on the death penalty as an interim
measure before its abolition and the implementation by the Syrian Arab
Republic of its human rights obligations, including the core international
human rights treaties (Portugal);
109.152 Put an end to enforced disappearances and torture in all places of
deprivation of liberty, as well as extrajudicial executions (Luxembourg);
109.153 Offer redress for the many enforced disappearances and
summary executions (Spain);
109.154 Investigate and hold to account persons involved in cases of
enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and acts of corruption or extortion
associated therewith, and communicate the findings of such investigations to
the victims’ families (Brazil);
109.155 Immediately halt the practice of enforced disappearance,
arbitrary arrest and detention, and the systemic use of torture, and meet its
obligations as a State party to the Convention against Torture (Canada);
109.156 Put an end to the practice of torture, inhumane and degrading
treatment in detention facilities and sexual violence, especially against women
and children (Spain);
109.157 Immediately end all acts of torture and stop the arrest of human
rights defenders, journalists and political dissidents (Norway);
109.158 Prohibit and punish all acts of torture perpetrated by security
services, government armed forces or affiliated militias (Chile);
109.159 Stop the widespread use of torture, enforced disappearance and
arbitrary detention (Uruguay);
109.160 Prohibit the use of torture, respect the principle of medical
neutrality and the special protections granted to medical units by international
humanitarian law, and protect and support humanitarian workers in their
work (Costa Rica);
109.161 Cease the unacceptable practices of unlawful detention and
torture, allow in independent observers and immediately release all prisoners
of conscience (Australia);
109.162 Take legislative and concrete measures to prevent the use of
torture and bring to justice those responsible for such violations (Switzerland);
109.163 Take all steps necessary to stop immediately the practice of
torturing detainees in formal and informal detention facilities run by the
Government and militias affiliated with it (Austria);
109.164 End all practices of arbitrary abduction, torture and murder in
detention facilities. All persons unjustifiably detained must be released
immediately; all others must be treated according to international standards.
Full international monitoring must be permitted (Germany);
109.165 Prohibit and prevent torture in all its forms, particularly of
children, and end alleged human rights violations committed by security forces
and armed groups (Ghana);
109.166 Make every effort to impede the use of torture, to assure humane
conditions for prisoners in conformity with international standards and to
abide by international humanitarian law (Holy See);
109.167 Immediately release human rights defenders and other prisoners
of conscience, particularly those detained and imprisoned for participating in
peaceful demonstrations since March 2011 (Canada);
109.168 Stop arbitrary detention and release all those unfairly and
indiscriminately arrested, as previously recommended (Spain);
109.169 Respect international obligations, release all political detainees,
immediately stop the use of all kinds of inhumane or degrading treatment,
including torture, grant relevant international organizations, such as ICRC,
access to all detention facilities and inform the families of detained or deceased
persons of their whereabouts and mental and physical state (Sweden);
109.170 Grant full access to enable international monitoring of detention
facilities under the control of the Government and its supporters (Austria);
109.171 Ensure that adequate medical care is available to all persons in
detention facilities maintained by the Government and militias affiliated with it
(Austria);
109.172 Allow independent international monitoring bodies unconditional
access to detention facilities in order to perform their functions (Belgium);
109.173 Release all those found to be unduly or arbitrarily detained
(Brazil);
109.174 Inform families about the whereabouts of persons in detention
facilities and regularly publish lists of detainees who have died in detention
facilities operated by the Government and militias affiliated with it (Austria);
109.175 Publish a list of all detainees in places under its control, together
with information on the grounds for their detention (Brazil);
109.176 Draft and adopt legislation to end violence and discrimination
against women (Maldives);
109.177 Protect women from sexual violence and abuse (Pakistan);
109.178 Take concrete steps to stop sexual violence against women and
girls and ensure that victims are given protection and assistance with their
recovery (Singapore);
109.179 Include the women’s rights perspective in the peace negotiations
and, specifically, ensure that sexual violence concerns are raised consistently in
the peace process and reflected in any peace agreement (Slovenia);
109.180 Protect women and girls from child, early and forced marriage
(Sierra Leone);
109.181 Prohibit early and forced marriage (Ghana);
109.182 Guarantee effective protection of children’s rights, including
access to education and protection from child labour (Belgium);
109.183 Adopt urgently measures to protect all children from the impact
of the conflict, prohibit the recruitment, kidnapping, abuse and sexual violence
of children by parties to the conflict and punish perpetrators of these violations
(Chile);
109.184 Adopt the measures necessary to protect and demobilize minors
forcibly recruited as combatants, so that those responsible for such acts are
brought to justice (Mexico);
109.185 Protect children by ensuring the full and immediate
demobilization of all children; the prohibition of forced recruitment of children
into the armed forces and the prosecution and punishment of those responsible
for forcibly recruiting children (Portugal);
109.186 Implement and strengthen measures to protect the rights of the
child, including by preventing and combating the recruitment of child soldiers
and trafficking in children (Singapore);
109.187 Put an end to the recruitment and use of children by all parties to
the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic. Children should be treated primarily
as victims and those in detention should be freed and put in the care of those
responsible for child protection (Luxembourg);
109.188 Continue its efforts in combating trafficking in human beings and
providing psychological, social and legal assistance to victims (Russian
Federation);
109.189 Ensure the prompt, impartial and effective investigation into and
put a stop to the arbitrary detention, harassment and persecution of human
rights defenders (Slovenia);
109.190 Increase access to electricity, basic sanitation and running water
(Maldives);
109.191 Continue efforts to provide full access to basic medical services
and education and to protect children from the worst forms of child labour
(Holy See);
109.192 Ensure equal access to education for all vulnerable people,
including women, children and persons with disabilities (Lao People’s
Democratic Republic);
109.193 Provide access to education to children (Pakistan);
109.194 Take effective steps to address the educational needs of all
children, even in these difficult conditions (Singapore);
109.195 Step up efforts for the protection of schools with a view to
ensuring that education may continue (Argentina);
109.196 Strengthen its cooperation with national and international non-
governmental organizations in providing assistance to internally displaced
persons (Russian Federation);
109.197 Reinforce policies to address the needs of migrants and refugees
by providing for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally
displaced persons to their homes and ensuring the rehabilitation of affected
areas in accordance with international law (Holy See);
109.198 Strengthen its efforts to increase shelter options for internally
displaced persons (Islamic Republic of Iran);
109.199 Continue its combat against terrorism to restore security and
stability to the Syrian Arab Republic and pave the way for the return of
displaced persons to their homes (Islamic Republic of Iran);
109.200 Develop programmes of compensation and reintegration for
victims of terrorism (Russian Federation);
109.201 Join hands with the international community to prevent and fight
terrorism (China);
109.202 Provide appropriate assistance and rehabilitation to the victims of
terrorism according to relevant national laws and within the available
resources (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea);
109.203 Put into place guarantees, in particular public hearings and the
right to appeal, including in the framework of the fight against terrorism, to
ensure the right to a fair trial (Switzerland).
110. The recommendations listed below did not enjoy the support of the Syrian
Arab Republic and would thus be noted.
110.1 Accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,
so that the atrocities committed in the Syrian Arab Republic could be the
subject of a rigorous and impartial exam by an independent court (France);
110.2 Implement fully the Geneva communiqué of 2012 and Security
Council resolution 2254 (2015) (Ukraine);
110.3 Allow the Commission of Inquiry to go to the Syrian Arab
Republic in order to pursue its work and investigations in conformity with the
mandate assigned to it by the Human Rights Council, and fully cooperate with
the Commission (France);
110.4 Put an end to attacks on civilians and grant unfettered access to
humanitarian organizations and independent international human rights
monitors, particularly the Commission of Inquiry (United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland);
110.5 Cease violence against civilians immediately and enter into good-
faith negotiations on a political solution to the conflict (United States of
America);
110.6 Stop violating international human rights and humanitarian law
(Turkey);
110.7 Comply with international human rights law and international
humanitarian law by immediately ceasing its excessive, indiscriminate and
disproportionate attacks on civilians (Ireland);
110.8 Stop bombing its own civilian population, including with the use
of barrel bombs, chemical weapons and incendiary bombs contrary to
international humanitarian law (Netherlands);
110.9 Cease bombardments, the use of chemical weapons, attacks
against civilians and immediately lift all sieges (France);
110.10 Stop the aerial bombardments and the indiscriminate attacks
against civilians (Ukraine);
110.11 Stop using chemical weapons as documented by the relevant
United Nations organs (Turkey);
110.12 Allow immediate, complete, continued and unimpeded
humanitarian access to all populations in need throughout the whole territory,
in particular in besieged and hard-to-reach areas (France);
110.13 Grant unfettered access to humanitarian assistance, including in
besieged and hard-to-reach areas (United States of America);
110.14 Allow the United Nations and other international organizations to
access those in need, particularly in all besieged and hard-to-reach areas
(Ukraine);
110.15 Live up to all its obligations under international humanitarian law
and international human rights law and provide immediate, full and
unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in need throughout the
Syrian Arab Republic (Denmark);
110.16 Lift all restrictions on humanitarian access to populations in need
of assistance, in particular to besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and ensure the
safe evacuation of those civilians who wish to leave, particularly those in
Aleppo and 15 other territories that the United Nations has classified as
besieged by Syria (Ireland);1
110.17 Stop the sieges of Syrian cities and towns, including east Aleppo,
in breach of international humanitarian law. Humanitarian access must be
immediately ensured to all the Syrian people in need (Netherlands);
110.18 Respect the right to life and stop killing its own people (Turkey);
110.19 Stop the widespread practices of enforced disappearance,
arbitrary detention and the use of sexual violence, torture and ill-treatment in
its detention centres. This includes granting international monitoring bodies
immediate access without undue restriction to all detainees, and publish a list of
all detention facilities (Denmark);
110.20 Stop the systemic use of ill-treatment and torture (Turkey);
110.21 Release all those who are arbitrarily detained and put an end to
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees,
1 The recommendation, as read out during the interactive dialogue, was: “Lift all restrictions on
humanitarian access to populations in need of assistance, in particular to besieged and hard-to-reach
areas, and ensure the safe evacuation of those civilians who wish to leave, particularly those in
Aleppo and 15 other territories that the United Nations has classified as besieged by the regime.” A
point of order was raised by the Syrian Arab Republic on the need for United Nations standard
terminology to be used when addressing the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review.
including those belonging to the moderate opposition that started the non-
violent protest against the Government (Netherlands);
110.22 Immediately free unconditionally all persons arbitrarily detained
by the Syrian authorities, as a priority women, children and older persons
(France);
110.23 Release the thousands of Syrians unlawfully detained, especially
women and children (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);
110.24 Cease egregious abuses against prisoners, allow for the immediate,
unfettered access to medical services for all detainees and release Syrians who
have been arbitrarily imprisoned and held without trial (United States of
America);
110.25 Stop collaborating with Daesh, the Nusrah Front and other
terrorist organizations (Turkey);
110.26 Investigate the torture and death of 18,000 detainees in its prisons
since March 2011, and publish a clear report on the subject (Israel);
110.27 Investigate the numerous cases of aerial bombardments (Israel);
110.28 Adopt measures against those responsible for the use of chemical
weapons and hold them accountable (Israel).
111. The recommendations listed in paragraphs 110.1-110.25 did not enjoy the
support of the Syrian Arab Republic as it considers that they were presented by
Governments of Member States that are parties in the war against the Syrian Arab
Republic or adopt extreme hostile positions against the Syrian Arab Republic.
112. The Syrian Arab Republic considered that the recommendations in paragraphs
110.26-110.28 could not be accepted because the Syrian Arab Republic does not
recognize Israel and considers that they were submitted by an occupying power to
part of the Syrian territory.
113. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect
the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not
be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.
Annex
Composition of the delegation
The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic was headed by Mr. Hussam Edin Aala,
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United
Nations Office at Geneva, and composed of the following members:
• Mr. Abdulmaola Al Nuqari, Minister Counselor to the Syrian Mission;
• Ms. Rania Al Haj Ali, Counselor to the Syrian Mission;
• Dr. Yaser Kilzy, Consultant in the Ministry of Interior;
• Mr. Ali Daghman, First Secretary to the Syrian Mission.