Syria has welcomed a United Nations resolution aimed at investigating human rights abuses and improving the country’s record following 13 years of brutal civil conflict under former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The resolution, which calls on Syria’s new government to support inquiries into crimes committed since the conflict began in 2011, passed unanimously at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday.
The move signals a shift in the stance of the 47-member council, now showing increased support for Syria’s efforts to reform and address past violations. “Such international support serves as a strong incentive to continue the path of reform,” said Haydar Ali Ahmad, Syria’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva.
The resolution comes amid significant changes in Syria’s political landscape. Rebels led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, now president of the new transitional government, seized control of Damascus in December, prompting former President Assad to flee to Russia. The 13-year conflict has resulted in the disappearance of more than 100,000 people, alongside widespread reports of torture and the use of chemical weapons.
Under mounting pressure to demonstrate a clear break from its past, Syria’s new government welcomed the resolution. “We are proud of Syria’s positive and constructive participation in drafting the resolution for the first time,” said Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in a statement posted on social media.
Members of the Human Rights Council urged Syria to uphold the commitments outlined in the resolution, including the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious crimes committed during the war. British Ambassador to the UN Simon Manley described the killing of hundreds of Alwaite civilians in March as a “chilling reminder of the deep wounds” left by the conflict, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.
The resolution is expected to bolster international efforts to address past abuses and support Syria’s transition toward greater transparency and reform in its human rights practices.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his governmen...
Iraq has returned restricted airspace across the western part of the country to civilian authorities, ending limits imposed for military operations...
Denmark and Greenland have moved to reassure the public that their sovereignty will remain intact under a new security agreement with the United St...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that additional news organisations could be barred from the White House, hours after announcing bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over coverage he described as “fake news”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has cleared the criminal record of former soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead a wounded Palestinian in the West Bank in 2016.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
The death toll in a suicide attack at a police compound in northwest Pakistan has reached 31, AFP reported on Saturday, citing a police official.
Azerbaijan has rejected France’s justification for advising its citizens against travel to the country, after Paris cited risks of arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment