Escalating Violence and Accountability Measures in Syria, CAR, and the Philippines
The recent Atrocity Alert highlights severe human rights violations in Syria, CAR, and the Philippines, including over 1,000 deaths in Syria from escalating violence, documented war crimes in CAR against minority communities, and the significant arrest of former President Duterte in the Philippines for crimes against humanity. The ongoing situations demand urgent actions to protect civilians and uphold accountability measures.
This report from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect details escalating violence in Syria, the Central African Republic (CAR), and the Philippines. Significant incidents include armed clashes in Syria resulting in over 1,000 killings, likely war crimes against Muslim communities in CAR, and the recent arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC). These events illustrate the urgent need for accountability and protective measures in these regions.
Between March 6-9, armed groups loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad engaged in violence in northwest Syria, specifically in the Latakia, Hama, and Tartus governorates, ambushing transitional government security forces. The clashes resulted in over 1,000 fatalities, primarily among civilians from the Alawite minority. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, highlighted this alarming situation, urging caretaker authorities to ensure protection and conduct impartial investigations into these crimes against civilians.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights revealed that armed groups associated with Assad executed 383 individuals, while transitional government forces accounted for 420 extrajudicial killings. Entire Alawite families, including children, were reportedly targeted, leading to a mass exodus to Lebanon. Interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has announced the formation of an independent committee to investigate these violations and promised accountability for the violence.
Syria’s transitional authorities have faced numerous challenges since the ousting of Assad, including ongoing hostilities, rising sectarian tensions, and targeted attacks against minorities. The recent agreement by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate into state institutions offers hope for national unity, yet urgent protective actions are necessary to prevent further violence and uphold transitional justice.
In the Central African Republic, a recent UN report documented potential war crimes by armed groups, particularly targeting Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees. Notable instances of violence included attacks in the Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures, resulting in fatalities and widespread sexual violence. A group known as Wagner Ti Azandé, with ties to the national army, coordinated these attacks under the guise of ethnic and religious cleansing.
The situation in CAR remains tenuous, with a notable lack of state security contributing to widespread violence. Experts caution that without immediate action—such as excluding certain armed groups from collaboration with government forces—recurrences of atrocities are likely. The CAR authorities must work alongside civil society to strengthen social cohesion while ensuring accountability for all perpetrators of violence.
On March 11, Philippine authorities announced the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, based on an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity associated with his controversial “war on drugs.
The recent spike in violence reported in Syria, the Central African Republic, and the Philippines underscores the pressing need for accountability, protection of civilians, and adherence to international law. Urgent actions are required to diminish sectarian violence, prevent further atrocities, and ensure justice for the victims in these nations. Continued efforts at national and international levels are essential to achieve lasting peace and security.
Original Source: www.globalr2p.org
