Photograph courtesy of Syria Revolution in Photos
I want to address the Syrian people, regardless of ethnicity, culture, community, or background. The crisis that you are facing has seized the attention of the entire world. We are profoundly aware of the sacrifices you are making in your revolution and your courageous acts to speak out in the face of lethal repression.
There are some who are uncertain of the future and fear retaliation because of the community to which they belong. All Syrians must recognize that accountability and transitional justice go hand in hand with reconciliation. Neither a community nor an ethnicity must be blamed for the actions of individuals in the regime. It must be clear that only individuals who committed crimes against humanity will be identified and held accountable for their abhorrent actions.
For that reason, the international community is enhancing the capacity of Syrian and international organizations to document grave abuses. Multilaterally supported initiatives such as the Syrian Justice and Accountability Center will coordinate efforts to research and collect evidence of human rights violations for use in future Syria-led transitional justice processes. These include truth-telling, reconciliation, and secure evidence documentation to support potential prosecutions, all bringing to light those who bear responsibility for these acts.
The future will include all Syrians of all backgrounds. The Syrian opposition has enunciated a clear vision that there is a credible alternative to the Assad regime that will end the violence, protect their fundamental human rights, and address their aspirations. We applaud the opposition’s efforts to bring together and unite a broad range of elements, including Sunni, Shia, Kurds, Christians, Turkmen, Druze, and Alawites and others under a common plan. We commend the opposition for committing to this work and look forward to the group’s continued cooperation and efforts to work toward a future democratic state ruled by a new constitution that protects the universal human rights of all the Syrian people.
We applaud the Syrian opposition’s transition that guarantees fundamental rights for all Syrians. This is a critical element of any transition and is a priority for the United States. The international community, including the opposition, has met several times to begin this process and it must continue. We will remain committed to working toward a political transition with a sense of urgency. Far too many Syrians have died for the cause of freedom, and the transition must go forward. We continue to believe that a political transition in Syria, led by the Syrian people and supported by the international community, is the best chance for Syria’s future and for a stable and democratic transition.
Robert S. Ford serves as U.S. Ambassador to Syria.