UN Syria Commission Urges Global Support, Sanctions Review After Damascus Visit

The Commission called on donor countries to increase humanitarian aid, reassess sanctions regimes, and engage in dialogue with Syrian civil society and authorities alike.

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has concluded a high-profile mission to Damascus, marking a pivotal step in renewed engagement between the Syrian caretaker authorities and international human rights mechanisms.

Led by Commission Chair Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro and Commissioner Hanny Megally, the delegation’s multi-day mission involved extensive meetings with a broad range of stakeholders, including Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, legal experts, civil society leaders, humanitarian organizations, and families of conflict victims.

“We were pleased to continue our engagement with the Syrian authorities and to discuss human rights issues in an open and transparent manner,” said Pinheiro in the Commission’s end-of-mission statement. “The discussions were frank, forward-looking, and focused on the country’s most urgent challenges.”

Field Visits Reveal Devastation and Resilience

During the mission, the Commission visited multiple towns across Rif Damascus—Harasta, Douma, Zabadani, Daraya, and the war-ravaged Yarmouk camp—where it witnessed the staggering impact of Syria’s 13-year-long conflict. Pinheiro described “entire districts shattered by warfare and by pillage by the former government’s forces.”

Yet amid the ruins, the delegation encountered Syrian families who have returned to reclaim and rebuild what is left of their homes and communities. “Their courage and resilience speak volumes about their desire for normalcy and peace,” said Pinheiro.

Dire Humanitarian and Economic Conditions

The Commission's statement paints a grim picture of the country's economic situation: over 90% of Syrians live on less than two US dollars per day. Sectoral sanctions, originally imposed in response to grave human rights violations by the former government, are now major barriers to recovery, the report notes.

“Sanctions are impeding not only international aid and investment but also remittances from Syrians abroad who are desperate to help loved ones rebuild,” explained Commissioner Megally. “The recent move by the European Union to suspend a number of these sanctions is a welcome start, but a broader reassessment is now imperative.”

Megally emphasized that economic collapse risks fueling renewed cycles of violence, and called for urgent humanitarian and development support.

Investigating New Violence and Supporting Accountability

The visit comes in the wake of deadly retaliatory attacks in Syria’s coastal regions, which left hundreds of civilians dead or injured. The Commission has launched an investigation into the events and held meetings with Syria’s newly-established independent national inquiry tasked with examining the coastal violence.

“The formation of this national investigative body is unprecedented in Syria and represents a critical opportunity for accountability,” said Megally. “We were reassured by their members’ commitment to impartiality and transparency and urged them to make their findings public.”

The Commission also stressed the importance of preserving crime scenes and evidence for future judicial processes, and noted the need for expanded international technical assistance to ensure secure access to such locations.

Transitional Justice and Human Rights Commitments

In a significant development, Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani expressed his government’s support for a new chapter of national reconciliation and transitional justice. He pledged to prioritize truth-finding efforts for the disappeared and pursue justice for victims of past abuses.

“The Minister’s commitment to human rights, justice, and accountability signals a potentially transformative shift,” said Pinheiro. “The Commission stands ready to support Syria’s journey toward a legal and democratic state that protects the dignity of all its citizens.”

Syrian civil society organizations voiced a strong desire to participate in rebuilding efforts, but highlighted ongoing bureaucratic hurdles, including burdensome registration processes and the confiscation of property by the former regime.

Grassroots Initiatives Offer Hope for Social Healing

Despite the long legacy of repression, displacement, and violence, the Commissioners were inspired by grassroots peacebuilding initiatives in several towns. Local communities are working to restore trust and heal divisions through dialogue, shared projects, and civil engagement.

“These efforts show that, even amid ruin, the seeds of reconciliation and national renewal are being sown by Syrians themselves,” said Megally.

A Call to the International Community

The Commissioners closed their mission with a powerful appeal to the global community: support Syria’s path to peace or at the very least, do not obstruct it.

“Syria is emerging from decades of authoritarian rule, war, and mass suffering,” Pinheiro said. “The international community must now choose whether it will offer meaningful support or allow red tape, indifference, and outdated policies to prolong this human tragedy.”

The Commission called on donor countries to increase humanitarian aid, reassess sanctions regimes, and engage in dialogue with Syrian civil society and authorities alike.

Syrians Demand Justice, Not Pity

After 14 years of atrocities and trauma, Syrians are not only asking for food, medicine, or shelter—they are demanding justice, transparency, and a state that upholds their rights.

“They are not broken. They are determined,” said Pinheiro. “We owe them solidarity, not sympathy; action, not apathy.”

As Syria stands at a potential crossroads between recovery and relapse, the Commission’s visit offers a cautiously optimistic glimpse of what could be the beginning of a long-overdue transformation—one built not just on rebuilding structures, but on restoring trust, dignity, and hope.