On 26 September 2014, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 27/21 and Corr.1 on human rights and unilateral coercive measures. The resolution stresses that unilateral coercive measures and legislation are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law, the Charter and the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among States, and highlights that on long-term, these measures may result in social problems and raise humanitarian concerns in the States targeted. Highlighting the deep-rooted problems and grievances within the international system and in order to ensure multilateralism, mutual respect and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Human Rights Council decided to create the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights.

In order to gather first-hand information related to the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights in specific countries, to effectively conduct an assessment and evaluation of such measures and to formulate relevant recommendations and guidelines on means to mitigate or eliminate their observed impact, the Special Rapporteur undertakes country visits, upon invitation of the concerned Governments.

Objective

The purpose of this call is to inform the Special Rapporteur’s country visit to the Syrian Arab Republic, which will take place from 30 October to 10 November 2022.

The visit will examine, in a spirit of co-operation and dialogue, whether and to what extent the adoption, maintenance or implementation of unilateral sanctions impedes the full realization of the rights set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments, including the right of individuals and peoples to development (cfr. A/HRC/RES/27/21, OP.1).

The visit will build and expand on the findings and observations by the former Special Rapporteur, the late Idriss Jazairy, which were formulated during his May 2018 visit in the country and presented at the 39th session of the UN Human Rights Council (A/HRC/39/54/Add.2). It will further shed light on the developments since 2018 and the persistent adverse effects of the imposed unilateral sanctions regimes on the lives of the peoples in Syria and on the enjoyment of their human rights.

During the visit, the Special Rapporteur will meet with various stakeholders in the capital Damascus and in other regions. She will hold meetings with governmental representatives and institutions, with United Nations agencies and other international organisations present in the country, as well as with financial institutions, and representatives of the diplomatic community present in the country. She will also meet with representatives of civil society, associations, humanitarian actors, and businesses, whose activities may have been affected by unilateral coercive measures, as well as academics with specific expertise in this area.

The Special Rapporteur will present her conclusions and recommendations in a report that she will submit to the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council in September 2023.

Key questions and input sought

While all submissions are welcome, and the below is by no means exhaustive, the Special Rapporteur would be grateful to receive input as a response to the following questions:

1. What specific human rights – economic, social, cultural, political and social - are affected by unilateral coercive measures imposed against Syria? Please provide practical examples illustrating the linkage between these sanctions and these rights.
2. What types of sanctions have the most negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights in Syria?
3. What categories of population are affected by unilateral sanctions in Syria the most? Please, provide examples.
4. Please provide detailed information on the current framework of sanction licenses for goods and services and their specific impact on Syria’s economy and society. Do they provide for the possibility to guarantee the basic needs of the population?
5. How does the imposition of unilateral sanctions affect the efforts of reconstruction of Syria?
6. How does the imposition of unilateral sanctions affect the employment situation in Syria?
7. Please provide information on the impact of unilateral sanctions on social protections, in particular for persons in vulnerable socio-economic situations, people with disabilities, older people in Syria.
8. Please provide information on the particular impact of unilateral sanctions on women and children.
9. What measures have been taken by the Government of Syria to mitigate the adverse effects of unilateral sanctions? Please provide information on specific legislative measures and policies, and their implementation, including social support programmes, initiatives towards economic restructuring, changes in trade policies and others?
10. How is the private sector in Syria affected by the application of unilateral sanctions?
11. Could you please provide examples of zero-risk policies and over-compliance with unilateral sanctions by any actor (public or private), including such as banks and other businesses, which may prevent even permitted interactions with Syria, its institutions and various economic sectors? What human rights are affected by such types of conduct?
12. What is the impact of sectoral sanctions on the full realisation of human rights in Syria?
13. How does the imposition of unilateral sanctions affect the rights of Syrian refugees and migrants, as well as those of internally displaced persons?
14. Please provide information and analysis on the impact of unilateral sanctions on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, as well as on the implementation of development initiatives and projects.
15. Please advise about individuals, organisations and institutions with whom the Special Rapporteur should meet during her country visit.

How inputs will be used

The submitted information will be reviewed and considered by the Special Rapporteur for the preparation of the country visit report, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2023. While the information provided will be used, in consultation with the sources, the sources will remain confidential should they so request.