The US Ambassador for Near East and Affrica Affairs, Christopher Henzel, said that “Assad regime continues to subject the Syrians to abuses and other forms of mistreatment.”
Henzel’s remarks came during the interactive dialogue conducted by the UN Third Committee with the Commission of inquiry on Syria.
Henzel added that “It is necessary for all states to respect the principle on non-refoulement of Syrian refugees.”
Henzel emphasized that “Assad regime continues to practice torture widely and systematically, including subjecting the refugees to arbitrary arrest and torture during their return home.”
Henzel pointed out that “The detained Syrians are routinely deprived of access to fair trials, and usually they are unjustly charged in counter-terrorism courts and have their personal properties confiscated.”
Henzel stressed that “Despite the risks and challenges, the Syrian civil society, especially the women and victim-led groups, continue to press to get answers on the fate of detainees and missing people, confirming that the United States stands by them.”
Henzel called on all UN member states to support the annual resolution on the human rights situation in Syria.
The head of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Paulo Pinheiro, said on Tuesday, October 24, that “Syria is witnessing the largest escalation of hostilities in four years, amid complete disregard for civilians’ lives.”
Paulo Pinheiro added that “Syria continues to represent the world’s largest refugee crisis, with more than 7 million fled the country and more than 6 million internally displaced.”
