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Rami Abdulrahman Demands Accountability for Perpetrators of Banias Incident
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The recurring incidents in Syrian regions constitute a real test of the current authorities' ability to protect civilians, achieve justice, and establish accountability as a foundation for societal st
Rami Abdulrahman, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has called for immediate action against those who carried out the security incident in rural Banias, emphasizing that the continuation of violence reflects the ongoing pattern of impunity. This position highlights the importance of activating accountability mechanisms as an essential element for achieving stability and protecting civilians in different regions.
The Observatory's director clarified in press statements that "today's incident in rural Banias indicates that the logic of violence is still continuing, and those responsible for civil peace in Banias must work immediately to arrest the elements who carried out this operation and try them publicly." These calls reflect civil society's aspirations to strengthen the role of judicial and security institutions in combating violence and protecting citizens of various affiliations.
The Observatory's director pointed to fears of serious repercussions "if these incidents continue and continue to be covered up in this way, we will be in a stage that may have unpredictable consequences, especially given the difficult living conditions in the Syrian coastal poor villages." This warning places the current Syrian leadership before a historic responsibility to deal firmly with security files and achieve justice for various societal components.
The Observatory's director expressed his hope "that there will be a real awareness by the leadership in Syria that civil peace is a priority," noting that previous violations were the responsibility of the former regime and those who cooperated with it "from all sects because the army was from all sects."
The statement pointed to the need for seriousness in pursuing those involved in human rights violations, questioning "if they are serious and want to arrest criminals, why did they leave Mohammad al-Shaar, and why have many officers made settlements, many of whom played a key role in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity." This question points to the challenges related to the transitional justice file and accountability mechanisms in the current phase.
The Observatory's director criticized the way security events are being handled, describing it as "shameful that we return to a second Dunia channel, and they say the incident was committed by remnants of the regime, while we say there are elements present at a military base near the village who stormed a house and executed civilians." This position emphasizes the importance of transparent and impartial investigations into security events and publishing facts away from political exploitation.
The Observatory's director pointed to fears of repeating the tragedy of the Syrian coast, confirming that the international community cannot turn a blind eye to human rights violations, especially as the Observatory documented about 1,680 victims in previous incidents. These figures serve as a reminder of the responsibility of all parties in protecting civilians and ensuring the principle of accountability as a basis for successful political transition in Syria.
