International Legal Obligations
Speaking in Geneva, OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell expressed concern over reports and videos allegedly showing the killing of Alawite men in Homs and other Syrian cities following the overthrow of the Assad regime. Throssell emphasized the importance of all parties abiding by their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the respect and protection of minorities.
UN Presence in Damascus
A small UN human rights office team has been deployed to Damascus to establish contact with the caretaker authorities led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Throssell stressed the need for the authorities to ensure security is restored and hold those accused of crimes accountable.
Iran's High Rate of Executions
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, condemned the alarming number of executions in Iran in 2024, with at least 901 reported executions, including 31 women. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for a halt to the practice, citing the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people.
Central African Republic Advances Human Rights Protections
The recent adoption of legislation in the Central African Republic to protect human rights defenders was hailed as a significant step forward by independent expert Yao Agbetse. The law aims to safeguard freedom of expression, association, assembly, and peaceful demonstration, providing enhanced protection measures for defenders.
UN, Human Rights, Syria, Iran, Central African Republic
