International Mechanism Submissions

The Human Rights Committee oversees how well the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is followed by the countries that have agreed to it. These countries are required to provide reports on the steps they have taken to uphold the rights outlined in the Covenant and on the progress they have made in ensuring civil and political rights. During its upcoming 141st session, scheduled for 01 to 23 July 2024, the Human Rights Committee will assess Syria's fourth periodic report on the ICCPR, submitted on 27 May 2022, as Article 40 of the Covenant requires. Notably, the Human Rights Committee issued a list of issues related to Syria's report on 5 April 2023, and the latter, in turn, responded with a report on 2 February 2024. Ahead of the 141st session, Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) is submitting this document to the Committee intending to highlight Syria's violations of its obligations under the Covenant. These violations include failure to ensure fair trials and judicial independence (Article 14 of the Covenant) and to prevent torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7 of the Covenant), failure to protect the right to life (Article 6 of the Covenant), as well as to protect freedom, security, and prevent enforced disa0ppearance (Article 9 of the Covenant).

Syrians for Truth and Justice (STJ) is submitting this piece to the Human Rights Committee in advance of its 141st session scheduled for 01 to 23 July 2024. This paper pertains to Syria's fourth periodic report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Syria submitted the report on 27 May 2022, per Article 40 of the ICCPR. Additionally, the paper will reflect on the list of issues related to the report issued by the Committee on 5 April 2023 and Syria's response to it dated 2 February 2024.

The present submission points out Syria's disregard for the principles of fair trials and judicial independence (Article 14 of the Covenant), as well as its failure to meet its obligations in preventing torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7 of the Covenant). Additionally, it addresses Syria's violation of the right to freedom and security and the prevention of enforced disappearance (Article 9 of the Covenant), and its violation of the right to life (Article 6 of the Covenant).