GENEVA: The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, has called for unrestricted access for independent monitors to Syrian detention sites and mass graves, emphasizing the need for comprehensive documentation to ensure accountability under international humanitarian law. Pedersen's statement underscores the importance of preserving evidence to address the longstanding allegations of atrocities in the region. According to Kuwait News Agency, Pedersen issued a statement from Geneva highlighting that despite extensive documentation and collected testimonies, only a fraction of the horrors within Syria's detention system has been revealed. He referenced images from facilities like Sednaya, which starkly depict the reported barbarity endured by detainees. Pedersen described these images as a profound testament to the suffering and pain experienced by those detained and their families. Pedersen stressed the urgent need for justice for victims and their families, stating that accountability is ess ential for recovery and to prevent further violations. He called for immediate support for the families of detainees, the missing, and those recently released, urging a prioritization of searching for missing persons and ensuring families are informed about their loved ones' fates. He further advocated for providing medical care, psychological support, legal aid, and safe shelter for those affected. Additionally, Pedersen called for the immediate release of children, women, and men who are still held arbitrarily by various authorities in detention facilities. Pedersen reiterated his call for all parties to cooperate with UN specialized bodies, including the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism, and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, as well as all relevant international and national bodies addressing these issues. "The world owes it to the Syrian people to listen, to act, and to work tirelessly toward a future where such horrors can never recur," he stated.
