Syrian Human Rights Initiative Submitted Its Report on Attacks Against Alawites to the UN

April 3, 2025

The Syrian Human Rights Initiative submitted its report and official petition concerning attacks against Alawites in Syria to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

A delegation formed by the Initiative attended the meeting, which took place at the OHCHR building (Palais Wilson) in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting, the official petition was delivered to OHCHR officials along with a detailed report containing documents and testimonies related to severe human rights violations, forced displacements, systematic discrimination, and mass killings targeting Alawites in Syria. The delegation called for an "urgent and effective intervention" to stop the attacks.

Following the meeting, a rally and press statement were organized in front of the Palais Wilson building, led by the Geneva Alawite Cultural Association, the European Federation of Arab Alawites, the Federation of Alevi Unions in Switzerland, the European Alevi Women's Union, the Democratic Alevi Women's Union, the AABK Faith and Ritual Committee, and the Syrian Human Rights Initiative. Representatives from political parties and trade unions in Switzerland also attended the press statement.

The Syrian Human Rights Initiative stated that UN officials indicated the submitted documents would be shared with the relevant units and used as a resource during the evaluation process. The Initiative added, "The United Nations side emphasized that the situation in Syria is a multidimensional crisis and that they are aware of both the historical and current roots of the hatred directed at the Alawite community. During the meeting, ideas were exchanged about the coming period, and the necessity of diplomatic initiatives—especially at the Security Council level—was highlighted."