Syrian transition fragile, cycle of violence must end, UN panel says

GENEVA, Switzerland — Syria’s transition is fragile, one year on from the overthrow of ruler Bashar al-Assad, and the country’s cycles of vengeance and reprisal need to end, United Nations investigators say.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria investigates and records all international human rights law violations since March 2011 in the country.

The panel congratulates Syria on the steps it has taken so far to address the crimes and abuses inflicted during previous decades.

But it says violent events since Assad’s downfall had caused renewed displacement and polarization, “raising worries about the future direction of the country.”

The commission says the “horrific catalogue” of abuse inflicted by Assad’s regime “amounted to industrial criminal violence” against Syria’s people.

“The cycles of vengeance and reprisal must be brought to an end, so that Syria can continue to move toward a future as a state that guarantees full respect for the human rights of all its people, with equality, the rule of law, peace and security for all in name and in deed,” the commission says.

“Syria’s transition is fragile. While many across the country will celebrate this anniversary, others are fearing for their present security, and many will sleep in tents again this winter. The unknown fate of many thousands who were forcibly disappeared remains an open wound.”

The commission says moving beyond the legacy of war and destruction would take “great strength, patience and support.”

“The Syrian people deserve to live in peace, with full respect for rights long denied, and we have no doubt they are up to the task,” it says.