Yasser Al-Farhan, the spokesperson for the Fact-Finding Committee on the Syrian Coastal Events, revealed on Tuesday that the committee inspected nine sites related to the recent events in Latakia Governorate, and that committee members heard testimonies from security, military, and civilian authorities in the area.
Al-Farhan explained during a press conference that the committee recorded 95 testimonies in accordance with legal standards related to the events and received more than 30 reports with relevant details. He added that the committee plans to travel to other cities, such as Tartous, Baniyas, Hama, and Idlib, to complete its fact-finding operations.
Al-Farhan confirmed that the committee met with representatives of civil society and civil society organizations and reviewed their perspectives on the events. He praised the role of witnesses and victims' families in providing information while respecting their privacy.
Al-Farhan noted that the working conditions are not ideal, and that the committee requires the cooperation of all parties to uncover the facts. He emphasized that it is still too early to announce the results of the investigations.
Regarding international cooperation, Al-Farhan noted that the meetings with UN representatives were very positive, and that the international organization welcomed the formation of the committee and expressed support for its work.
He explained that the committee visited all areas that witnessed field events and is seeking to hear witnesses directly and inspect the sites of the incidents on the ground.
He also noted that the presence of armed remnants of the former regime in the surrounding areas posed an additional challenge to the committee's work.
Al-Farhan added that the committee is considering establishing a special court to prosecute those involved in the coastal events, noting that the task could take more than 30 days, which may necessitate requesting an extension.
Al-Farhan emphasized that movement in some areas remains risky, and that some witnesses and victims' families are afraid to communicate with the committee for fear of security repercussions.
On March 9, Syrian President of the Transitional Period, Ahmed al-Sharaa, issued a decision to form an independent national committee to investigate incidents committed on the Syrian coast, in northwestern Syria. The committee will consist of five judges, a criminal security brigadier general, and a human rights lawyer, all experts in documentation and justice issues. The committee's mission will be to investigate the recent events on the Syrian coast, identify those responsible, and bring them to justice. The committee's findings will be made public to the Syrian people to ensure transparency and uncover the truth.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.