Syria: As-Suwayda: 57 Civil Society Organizations Call for Immediate End to Violence and Protection of Civilians

All human rights violations must be investigated, hate speech must stop, and a transparent, inclusive Syrian national dialogue must begin

 18/07/2025

The undersigned organizations express deep concern over the escalation of hostilities in As-Suwayda governorate, a predominantly Druze area in southern Syria. The outbreak of violence has been accompanied by widespread human rights violations and has resulted in dozens of casualties and injuries.

Alarming, credible reports have emerged documenting extrajudicial killings, mistreatment, sectarian insults, torture, property destruction, and looting of homes. The undersigned organizations strongly condemn all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and call on all parties to immediately comply with their legal obligations, namely the protection of civilians and their property, as well as the protection of medical facilities.

Amid these developments, Israeli airstrikes have killed and injured numerous members of the military forces affiliated with the Damascus transitional authorities. The undersigned organizations condemn these repeated Israeli attacks and call for their cessation.

The events in As-Suwayda, the escalating violence across Syria, and the acts of retaliation—often taking on a sectarian nature—represent a deeply troubling pattern that further fractures Syrian society. Previous mass killings in the coastal areas, the terrorist bombing of a church in the Duwaila area of Damascus that resulted in dozens of casualties, and violent incidents in Jaramana, Sahnaya, and Ashrafiyet Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside, are part of a larger wave of sectarian violence.

While awaiting the findings of the “Committee to Investigate the Coastal Events” concerning the March 2025 incidents, similar violations have been repeated in As-Suwayda, allegedly by some of the same perpetrators. Videos from As-Suwayda filmed and circulated by the perpetrators themselves support this claim. At the same time, amid the rise in hate speech and incitement, calls for mass mobilization have spread, including demonstrations demanding the recruitment of civilians to be sent to As-Suwayda, with some transport companies even offering to transfer fighters for free.

Despite the severity of the violations, no transparent legal action has been observed from the transitional authorities against those accused of these massacres—undermining the credibility of the transitional process in Syria as a whole.

The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned about the potential for this violence and these violations to spread to other regions and Syrian communities. Worrying and explicit incitement to violence and escalation has been observed in other areas, including northeast Syria (the Syrian Jazira region).

In solidarity with the families of all Syrian victims and with hopes for a swift recovery for the wounded and the safe return of displaced persons to their homes, the undersigned organizations remind the Syrian transitional authorities of their core responsibility to protect all Syrians, without discrimination, and demand the following:

First: To the Syrian Transitional Authorities:

• Launch a serious and immediate investigation into all killings, torture, and degrading treatment committed during the violence in As-Suwayda by all parties and refer the perpetrators to justice through public and impartial trials.
• Immediately cease all hostilities and initiate a serious and genuine dialogue with all Syrian components, ensuring their participation in the Syrian transitional process without exclusion or discrimination.
• Allow UN agencies and the International Commission of Inquiry to enter As-Suwayda governorate to independently investigate the alleged violations.
• Reconsider the transitional justice plan in Syria, and expand the scope of victims to include all victims of violations from all parties—both before and after the fall of the Assad regime.

To the European Union, United States, and International Community:

• Call on the new Syrian authorities to stop the violations, protect all Syrians, and end all forms of sectarian violence.
• Pressure the Syrian transitional authorities to work seriously and transparently to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased Syrian transitional process.

To the United Nations Security Council:

• Convene an emergency meeting on the recent violence in Syria, reaffirm the protection of all Syrian communities, and avoid any steps that could fuel sectarian violence.
• Emphasize the need for comprehensive, non-discriminatory justice and accountability, as affirmed in the Council’s statement of March 14, 2025.
• Pressure the Israeli government to cease its attacks on Syrian territory and reject all forms of foreign interventions in Syria.

List of Signatory Organizations (in alphabetical order):

 1.     Accountability Advocates Organization

2.     ACES, Action for Community Empowerment in Syria

3.     Adel Center for Human Rights

4.     Ajyal Organization for Development

5.     Alzajel

6.     ARAS Charity

7.     Areej Organization

8.     Arzo Organization

9.     Ashna for Development

10.  Assyrian Society for Helping and Development

11.  Badael

12.  Baladna Organization

13.  Center for Research and Protection of Women's Rights

14.  Das Leben e.V.

15.  Duderi

16.  Euphrates NGO

17.  Fariq Sunaae Almustaqbal

18.  Foundation to Restore Equality and Education in Syria

19.  Future Makers Team

20.  Green Tress

21.  Hevy for Relief and Development

22.  Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Organization

23.  Jiyan-Initiative, die kurdische Frauenbewegung

24.  Justice for Life - JFL

25.  Kobani for Relief and Development

26.  Lights for Development and Construction

27.  Malva Organization for Arts, Culture and Education

28.  Mary Association for Culture, Arts and Environment

29.  Media for Women

30.  Nawat

31.  Nûdem Organization

32.  PEACE LAND ORGANIZATION

33.  PEACE SHE LEADAR NETWORK

34.  Purity

35.  RÊ for Rehabilitation and Development

36.  Reng for Development

37.  Rights Defense Initiative – RDI

38.  Rojava Organization

39.  Salam for Hope

40.  SHARE for Community Development

41.  Shawshka Women's Association

42.  Slav Organization for Civil Activities

43.  Small Dreams Group

44.  Synergy Association for Victims

45.  Syria Help Organization

46.  Syria Justice and Accountability Center (SJAC)

47.  Syriac Cross Organization for Relief and Development

48.  Syrian Center for Studies and Dialogue - SCSD

49.  Syrians for Truth and Justice - STJ

50.  Taa Marbouta

51.  Tara Organization

52.  Together for a Better Society – TBS

53.  Urnammu for Justice & Human Rights

54.  Women Initiatives

55.  Women of Tomorrow

56.  Yekpar for Culture and Arts

57.  Equal Citizenship Center

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