The Subcommittee agreed to the following resolution:
In April and May 2014, the Subcommittee received testimony on the armed conflict in Syria in relation to violence against women and girls, including sexual violence and the persecution of religious minorities. On the basis of the information it received and the issues raised by witnesses who appeared, the Subcommittee expresses its deepest concern regarding the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law as well as violations and abuses of human rights in Syria.
The Subcommittee recalls that Syria has been in crisis for more than three years. It is estimated that 150,000 people have been killed as a result of the armed conflict that has engulfed the country; more than 9.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 6.5 million people displaced within Syria, and more than 2.6 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.
The conflict has been characterized by flagrant violations of international law. The Subcommittee has focused on two such violations: violence against women and girls, including sexual violence and the persecution of religious minorities.
The Subcommittee has previously examined the phenomenon of conflict-related sexual violence and sadly notes that sexual violence is used in many parts of the world as a weapon of war and a tool of repression. The Subcommittee heard evidence that sexual violence against women and men is widespread in the Syrian conflict. Specifically, witnesses alleged that certain elements of the state security forces are systematically raping and torturing female detainees in government detention centres. Committee witnesses testified that sexual violence is also occurring at public checkpoints and roadblocks, as well as during house raids and searches of private homes. Witnesses indicated that all parties to the conflict may be responsible for crimes of sexual violence, but that in the majority of reported cases the crimes appear to be carried out by government forces and pro-government factions.
The Subcommittee is aware that the crime of sexual violence is prevalent in armed conflicts around the world. Sexual violence in times of conflict is neither a cultural nor religious phenomenon – it is a criminal act. Regrettably, it is a crime that all too often goes unpunished. In Syria, survivors of sexual violence risk rejection and ostracization from their families and communities. Perpetrators rely on the silence of their victims to ensure their impunity.
The evidence has convinced the Subcommittee that sexual violence is being used to harm individuals and families, as well as to destroy communities and the social fabric of Syria. The Subcommittee concludes that on-going conflict-related sexual violence in Syria is exacerbating the armed conflict and is a factor impeding the restoration of peace and security.
In addition to its work on conflict-related violence against women and girls, including sexual violence, the Subcommittee has previously given attention to the plight of persecuted religious minorities in different parts of the world. The protections afforded to civilians in armed conflict apply to all faith groups, without discrimination. The Subcommittee is disturbed by reports it has received regarding incidents in which Christian civilians and faith leaders appear to have been targeted because of their religion.
The Subcommittee received testimony on the situation of the predominantly Armenian-Christian population of the village of Kessab who was forced to flee in March 2014. The Subcommittee is deeply worried by the increase in dangerous sectarian rhetoric and violence, as evidenced in the Kessab offensive which involved Jabhat al-Nusra – a listed terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code.
The Subcommittee condemns discriminatory attacks on civilians belonging to minority groups and reiterates that all Syrians have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, regardless of faith – a right that impacts on the enjoyment of all the other internationally protected human rights.
Therefore, the Subcommittee:
• Condemns the widespread and systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war by all parties to the Syrian conflict and calls for an immediate end to violence against women and girls, including sexual violence.
• Deplores attacks on minority religious communities in Syria by any party to the conflict, including those against Syrian Christians, and stresses that all parties must take the appropriate steps to protect all civilians.
• Urges all parties to the conflict to immediately put an end to all forms of violence, to comply fully with all of their obligations under international law and to cease and desist immediately from all violations of international human rights law and violations and abuses of human rights.
• Calls for an end to impunity in Syria for violations of international humanitarian law as well as violations and abuses of human rights and emphasizes that those who have committed or are otherwise responsible for such violations and abuses must be brought to justice.
• Supports the on-going efforts of the Government of Canada to use all available opportunities to push for a cessation of violence in Syria and to promote a pluralistic, democratic transition involving all groups and segments of Syrian society – including women and Syrians of all faiths – respecting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.