Washington renews its commitment to hold the Assad regime accountable for the atrocities it committed against Syrians

Yesterday, Monday, the US State Department revealed the results of its third annual report, which evaluates all countries of the world according to their commitment to human rights and documents the efforts of the US administration to combat any violations or abuses of those rights.

In its press briefing, the Foreign Ministry focused on its report submitted to Congress under the “Eli Wiesel Act to Prevent Massacres and Violations” on several countries, including Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, China and Myanmar (Burma), in addition to a comment on judicial events in Morocco and Jordan recently.

The US State Department report highlights countries that violate human rights and the efforts made by the US government by the Atrocity Early Warning Task Force to prevent and respond to them, from July 2020 to May 2021.

With regard to the situation in Syria, the US government renewed its commitment to hold the Assad regime accountable for the atrocities it committed, some of which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The United States has provided more than $2.3 million to the United Nations International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, and has supported the United Nations Commission of Inquiry and other investigations such as those related to the use of chemical weapons.

Since 2020, the Treasury and State Department have identified more than 100 individuals and entities associated with the Assad regime under Syria-related sanctions, including the Caesar Civilian Protection Act.

The report confirms that the US Agency for International Development supports humanitarian assistance and facilitates the safe and voluntary return of displaced people in Iraq and Syria, and first responders such as the Syrian Civil Defense.

The United States affirmed its commitment to fighting ISIS and the dangers it poses to civilians, especially in Iraq and Syria.

The report indicated that the US government has provided nearly nine million dollars to the United Nations investigation team to enhance accountability for crimes committed by ISIS, and funds organizations to collect evidence and supports the Iraqi justice system to prosecute ISIS members.

The report says that “these actions came as a result of a decision issued by the US State Department, in 2016, after reports that proved that ISIS was responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control in Iraq and Syria, including Yazidis, Christians and Shiite Muslims, humanitarian crimes and cleansing My race is against these groups, and in some cases against Sunni Muslims, Kurds and other minorities.”

The report emphasized the commitment of the administration of US President Joe Biden to promoting democratic values ​​and defending and protecting human rights around the world, noting that “preventing atrocities is a fundamental national security interest and a fundamental moral responsibility.”