The urgent plea for justice echoed at the UN, where Yasmen Almashan, mourning the loss of five brothers, voiced her family’s ongoing anguish over Syria’s 130,000 missing persons. As a pivotal member of the Caesar Families Association, she emphasised the necessity for a national transitional justice policy from Syria’s authorities to find closure.
Almashan asserted, “Participation of victims is key for transition justice programmes to succeed and reinforce a culture of human rights.” Her conviction is that victims can bridge societal divides and cultivate peace and justice in post-war Syria. A decade ago, the Assad regime suppressed a photographic exhibition revealing tortured prisoners, highlighting the critical need for truth.
Progress was made with the UN General Assembly’s adoption of Resolution 77/301 establishing the Independent Institution for the Missing in Syria, a testament to persistent advocacy for victims’ involvement. UN human rights chief Volker Türk praised the movement towards transitional justice globally, citing Guatemala’s successful convictions of military personnel for crimes against humanity.
Türk insisted on a comprehensive, victim-centred approach to justice, reflecting on the alarming rise in global conflicts. He recognised Colombia’s reconciliatory efforts and Kenya’s network aiding survivors to seek reparation. In Chad, the resolve of civil society has led to reparations for victims, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements.
Sofija Todorovic, from the Serbian NGO Youth Initiative for Human Rights, stressed involving youth in shaping a brighter future. “It is our duty to stand behind them,” she declared, advocating for equipping them with the necessary tools for change.
UN deputy chief Nada Al-Nashif cautioned against the threats to international laws preventing atrocities, highlighting current global divisions. “We are living through dangerous times as deep divisions and extreme views feed both conflict and violence,” she stated, noting that genocide is foreshadowed by discrimination and incitement to hatred.
Al-Nashif emphasised the need to protect global norms established to prevent genocide, urging an international collective movement toward a future where atrocities are unthinkable or justly punished.
Together, nations must reinforce their moral compasses against hatred and dehumanisation if they are to escape the spectre of genocide.
At a recent UN Human Rights meeting, Yasmen Almashan shared her family’s struggle with the fate of the forcibly disappeared in Syria, stressing the importance of a national transitional justice policy. Victim engagement is critical for establishing peace and culture of human rights. International calls for justice were highlighted, alongside concerns about rising global conflicts and the essential role of youth in shaping just futures. UN officials warned of threats to humanity and the importance of global cooperation against discrimination and violence.
The UN meeting underscored the pressing need for justice for Syria’s missing, with victim participation essential to transitional justice. Global initiatives in Guatemala, Colombia, and Kenya illustrate the effectiveness of inclusive approaches, while warnings of rising atrocities remind us of the precariousness of humanity’s moral compass. The call for empowering youth and a united front against discrimination underscores a collective responsibility for a future devoid of genocide and suffering.
Original Source: news.un.org
