UN Human Rights in Syria

Profile

Since 2013, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has played a leading role in monitoring, analysis, protection, advocacy, and capacity building in the Syrian context. For over a decade, OHCHR operated remotely from Beirut, Lebanon, due to restricted access.

As of December 2024, OHCHR has regained access to Syria, significantly enhancing its ability to carry out its full mandate and support an inclusive, rights-based transition in Syria.

The Office is committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a strong focus on peace/justice/strong institutions and inclusion. All units of OHCHR Syria integrate a gender perspective in shaping the work. OHCHR and works closely with the Office of the Special Envoy and UN humanitarian leadership and the United Nations Country team in Damascus actively contributing to the UN Syria Transitional Action Plan.

OHCHR Syria operates with a full mandate to protect and promote human rights by:

• Support Government efforts to comply with the State’s international legal obligations, providing technical cooperation to establish human rights compliant institutions
• Monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Syria, highlighting emerging human rights concerns, providing early warning analysis. Strengthening national capacities to prevent and respond to human rights violations, with a focus on legal and institutional reform.
• Supporting Syrian-led transitional justice mechanisms that are gender-sensitive, victim-centered, and inclusive of civil society.
• Providing legal analysis of the complex situation in Syria and support victim/survivor-centric accountability endeavors.
• Building the capacity of Syrian civil society to contribute more effectively to the promotion and protection of human rights, with a particular focus on marginalized and vulnerable groups
• Enhancing the protection of economic and social rights, including housing, health, food, and water, especially for returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

UN Human Rights Roadmap in Syria

Overall Objectives:

The UN Human Rights Syria Country Office aims to protect and promote human rights in Syria, fostering justice, healing, and a transition to a peaceful, just society.

Strengthening Rule of Law and Accountability

UN Human Rights takes a holistic approach to transitional justice, supporting both legal and non-legal solutions for accountability. This includes prosecutions, reparations, truth-seeking, and reforms to prevent further human rights violations and enhance protection systems.

Our Goal:

• Ensure Syrian-led transitional justice is human rights compliant and inclusive.
• Help authorities improve their response to human rights violations.

Enhancing Equality and Countering Discrimination

UN Human Rights is dedicated to addressing economic and social rights violations, focusing on protecting essential rights like housing, health, food, and water for returnees, IDPs, and vulnerable groups. This includes documenting and advocating for economic, social, and cultural rights while tackling legal barriers that prevent full access to these rights.

Our Goal:

• Strengthen the protection of housing, health, food, and water rights for vulnerable groups.

Protecting Civic Space and Enhancing Participation

Syrian civil society plays a vital role in the country’s transition. UN Human Rights actively supports civil society in advocacy, social cohesion, and governance, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for their work.

Our Goal:

• Enable Syrian civil society to play a stronger role in promoting human rights.
• Ensure international actors adopt human rights standards in their work.

Partners and Donors

Key Partners: UN Country Team, Whole of Syria agencies, IIMP, IIIM, Commission of Inquiry, Office of the Special Envoy, Syrian and international CSOs, Member States

Where We Work

Head Office: Damascus, Syria (phased relocation from Beirut began in December 2024 to be completed by August 2025)

Key Achievements of UN Human Rights in Syria

• Supporting the Establishment of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons (IIMP): OHCHR co-led the creation of IIMP, a vital initiative to strengthen the right to truth and access to justice for those missing in Syria’s conflict.
• Support for Accountability and Transitional Justice: Promoted accountability for serious violations of international law by focusing on victims' rights, including the rights to know, reparations, justice, and non-repetition.
• Capacity Building of Syrian Civil Society: Strengthened civil society engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, improving their ability to monitor human rights violations, particularly those affecting women and marginalized groups.
• Development of Digital Tools for Human Rights Advocacy: Created innovative digital tools and eLearning resources on a human rights-based approach to advocacy and programming, enhancing civil society’s capacity in Syria.
• Gender-Sensitive Legal Guidance and Early Warning Analysis: Delivered timely, gender-sensitive early warning analysis and legal guidance to support accountability and protection efforts, especially concerning gender-based violence.
• Rights-Based Humanitarian Response: Provided expert advice to integrate a rights-based approach across humanitarian efforts, focusing on economic, social, and gender-sensitive considerations in Syria’s response.
• Tailored Legal Analysis and Advice: Delivered specific legal advice on accountability, amnesty decrees, draft laws, and civilian protection under international human rights and humanitarian law.
• Promotion of Gender and Disability Rights: Advocated for the rights of women and persons with disabilities, integrating these issues into all OHCHR programming in Syria. OHCHR Syria is recognized as one of six gender-accredited OHCHR field offices.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Thematic Pillars 2024–2027

• Prevent violations and strengthen protection
• Strengthen rule of law and promote accountability
• Expand civic space and ensure inclusive participation
• Promote equality and counter discrimination

Spotlight Populations 2024-2027

• Women
• Persons with disabilities
• Youth