Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

Year

2023

UN Body

Human Rights Council

Session

53

Session Type

HRC Regular

Agenda Item

4

Country Concerned

Syria

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

  • The resolution clearly and directly condemns the Syrian government for serious violations, including violations against women, arbitrary detention, torture, and death of detainees in custody.
  • Syria rejected the resolution.
  • Moreover, the resolution was adopted under Item 4, the primary framework for addressing country-specific human rights situations, signaling criticism.

Main Sponsors

United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Turkey, United States

Vote

Yes - 24, No - 4, Abstain - 18, Absent - 1

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

  • "Condemns the targeting of women and girls and discriminatory laws or practices on the basis of gender by any parties to the conflict, predominantly the Syrian regime."
  • "Demands that the Syrian Arab Republic meet its responsibility to protect its population and to respect and protect the human rights of all persons within its jurisdiction…"
  • "Calls upon all parties to the conflict, first and foremost the Syrian authorities, to release immediately all persons subjected to enforced disappearance in the Syrian Arab Republic and to provide accurate information to the families of those who are missing regarding their fate and whereabouts."
  • "Reiterates the demand that all parties to the conflict, but particularly the Syrian authorities, cease all forms of abuse of detainees, including but not limited to torture of detainees in Syrian military intelligence facilities, ..."
  • "Strongly condemns all acts of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse in the Syrian Arab Republic…"
  • "Condemns restrictions imposed on journalists and civil society throughout the Syrian Arab Republic, in particular those campaigning against sexual and gender-based violence, notably women, whose activities have been disproportionately affected due to fears for personal safety."

Full Vote

  • Yes24

    • Argentina
    • Belgium
    • Benin
    • Chile
    • Costa Rica
    • Ivory Coast
    • Czechia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Gabon
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Honduras
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Malawi
    • Mexico
    • Montenegro
    • Paraguay
    • Qatar
    • Romania
    • Ukraine
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • No4

    • Bolivia
    • China
    • Cuba
    • Eritrea
  • Abstain18

    • Algeria
    • Bangladesh
    • Cameroon
    • Gambia
    • India
    • Kazakhstan
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Malaysia
    • Morocco
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Senegal
    • Somalia
    • South Africa
    • Sudan
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Uzbekistan
    • Vietnam
  • Absent1

    • Maldives