Syria: UN Commission exposes war crimes and urges justice and reforms in its latest report
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has released in March 2026 its latest report, outlining both the progress and the profound challenges facing Syria as it continues its transition toward inclusive governance, rule of law, and accountability. On one hand, Syria has taken meaningful steps toward inclusive governance and accountability, most notably through the establishment of two new national bodies dedicated to transitional justice and missing persons, as well as the launch of national inquiries into mass killings that occurred in Coastal, Central, and Southern regions in March and July 2025. On the other hand, the Commission makes clear that years of systematic violations and abuses, perpetrated by both former government forces and non-state armed groups, have deeply eroded public trust, creating significant obstacles to meaningful reconciliation and reform.
The report documents a deeply troubling pattern of ongoing serious violations across the country, including extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, custodial deaths, enforced disappearances, abductions, and violations of housing, land, and property rights. These abuses have disproportionately targeted communities perceived as having supported the former government, with clear patterns of discrimination based on religious affiliation, ethnicity, age, and gender. The Commission concluded that these violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law may amount to war crimes and, should further investigation establish the required elements, may rise to the level of crimes against humanity.
In response, the Commission has put forward a series of key recommendations, centering on accountability, comprehensive security sector reform, and meaningful engagement with affected communities. While the government has made some progress initiating arrests and trials of 14 alleged perpetrators, the Commission pointedly notes that the responsibilities of senior officials and commanders remain largely unaddressed, representing a significant gap in the pursuit of justice.
Moreover, the Commission is actively investigating two additional areas of serious concern. In the northeast, a recent spike in hostilities between the Syrian government and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has prompted new inquiries into reported violations in the region. Meanwhile, the Commission continues to scrutinize Israel's military operations in Syria, which have caused significant civilian harm, mass displacement, and widespread destruction.