Despite significant progress by Syrians in rebuilding their nation following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024, sustained international engagement is crucial to maintain the transition’s momentum amid ongoing humanitarian challenges, according to a UN expert.
Building from the Ground Up
A UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict has been actively supporting Syrian institutions in investigating and prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence, while simultaneously strengthening broader rule-of-law systems. Sofia Candeias, Judicial Affairs Officer with the team, noted the remarkable advancements made in just one year, yet emphasized the substantial challenges that persist, particularly in addressing wartime sexual violence, which was systematically employed during Syria’s civil conflict.
“It is remarkable that in one year, the Syrians were able to put all of this in place,” Candeias stated. However, this progress is underpinned by fragile institutions, widespread trauma, and an urgent need to translate commitments into tangible accountability.
The UN continues to back a Syrian-led political process aligned with Security Council resolutions 2254 and 2799. Established in 2009 under Security Council resolution 1888, the UN Team of Experts has been operating in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime. Co-led by the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the team’s mandate is to bolster national institutions’ response to sexual violence and conflict.
The team has collaborated closely with key Syrian bodies, including the National Commission for Transitional Justice, the Commission for Missing Persons, various ministries, and civil society organizations. This approach prioritizes national ownership while offering technical support to ensure the sustainability of justice efforts. “Civil society organisations are really the backbone of what transitional justice will be,” Candeias remarked. “They are also the only way to truly listen to survivors.” Syrian civil society groups have been instrumental in documenting human rights violations, potentially forming the evidentiary basis for future prosecutions.
Systematic and Unfathomable Scale of Sexual Violence
A significant, yet often invisible, challenge is the true scale of conflict-related sexual violence. “The honest assessment is that we don’t know the full scale of the problem, and we probably never will,” Candeias admitted. Documented cases reveal that sexual violence was widespread and systematically used in detention centers, at checkpoints, and during displacement, serving as a deliberate tactic for humiliation and punishment. Stigma remains a major barrier, preventing many survivors from coming forward. “This was a systematic enterprise and there was a deliberate tactic to target and to use sexual violence to humiliate and to punish civilians”, Candeias emphasized.
Men and Boys Also Targeted
While women and girls were disproportionately affected, men and boys were also significantly targeted, especially in detention. One Syrian partner organization reported that 98 percent of detained men and boys in its dataset experienced sexual violence, a figure likely underrepresenting the reality due to the lack of documentation.
Overcoming Silence and Stigma
Stigma is identified as the primary obstacle to justice, affecting survivors internally, within communities, and socially, leading to widespread silence. The UN and its partners are working to create safe conditions for survivors to seek help, beginning with public recognition and a proactive approach to “searching for the victims, and ensuring they have the conditions to come forward.” Candeias stated, “Acknowledging the gravity of sexual violence, and that is a crime, puts the scene on the side of the perpetrators, which is the first step.” The creation of “safe spaces” offering medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance without fear of reprisal is also vital, with local engagement being key to defining what constitutes a safe space in different communities.
Progress Hampered by Limited Capacity and Funding
Despite institutional advancements, Syria’s capacity to deliver justice is severely limited by years of conflict that have depleted its medical, forensic, and judicial systems. Insufficient forensic capacity hinders evidence collection, a lack of trained personnel impedes case progression, and inadequate psychosocial support discourages survivors from seeking justice. “What we want is the citizens to be able to vindicate their rights, because a survivor is not only a survivor, but also an agent, a citizen,” Candeias noted.
A decline in international funding further exacerbates these challenges. Support for civil society organizations, crucial for documentation and frontline assistance, has decreased, as has funding for national institutions. Candeias expressed concern, stating, “With so much progress in one year, now we need the technical response to be there. The groundwork has been done by the Syrians, but we need more services.” The risk of stagnation or even reversal is significant if resources are not allocated, potentially leading to lost evidence, disengaged survivors, and eroded trust in emerging institutions, setting back accountability efforts for years.
A Pivotal Moment for Investment
Syria is at a critical juncture, with rapid progress in transitional justice offering a rare opportunity for accountability. However, this opportunity is fragile and contingent on sustained support. “This is the moment to invest,” Candeias urged. “We cannot fail to deliver what they have managed to put forward.”
