Fri Jul 18 09:54:39 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it, written from an Indian perspective for “The Hindu”:
**Summary:**
The United Nations Human Rights Office is calling for accountability from Syria’s interim authorities for alleged killings and human rights violations in the southern city of Sweida. Recent fighting between Bedouins and Druze, compounded by government troop intervention and Israeli airstrikes, has resulted in reports of summary executions, kidnappings, and widespread destruction. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, demands an end to the violence and protection for all people, expressing concern over civilian casualties from the conflict and Israeli actions.
**News Article:**
**UN Calls for Accountability in Syria as Violence Escalates: A View From India**
*The Hindu, July 19, 2025* – Geneva
The United Nations Human Rights Office has issued a strong statement calling for Syria’s interim authorities to ensure accountability and justice in the wake of escalating violence in the southern city of Sweida. The region has been gripped by conflict, stemming from clashes between Bedouin and Druze communities, further complicated by government troop intervention and reported Israeli airstrikes.
According to reports received by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), widespread rights violations have occurred, including alleged summary executions, kidnappings, and destruction of property. These acts have reportedly been perpetrated by security forces linked to the Syrian authorities, as well as by armed elements from both the Druze and Bedouin communities.
“This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,” stated OHCHR High Commissioner Volker Turk. The statement highlights reports of a particularly egregious incident on July 15th, where affiliates of the Syrian authorities allegedly opened fire on a family gathering, resulting in at least 13 unlawful deaths.
The situation has been further complicated by Israeli intervention. Israel has conducted airstrikes on Damascus and targeted government forces in southern Syria, claiming its actions are aimed at protecting the Syrian Druze population. This raises complex questions about sovereignty and external interference in the ongoing Syrian crisis, issues that resonate deeply with India’s own historical experiences and its commitment to non-interference.
Mr. Turk also expressed concern over civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli airstrikes on Sweida, Daraa, and Damascus. From an Indian perspective, where the protection of civilians is paramount, these reports are deeply worrying.
The instability in Syria continues to be a matter of grave concern for the international community. India, with its long-standing commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts and its historical ties to the region, will be closely watching developments and considering its role in supporting humanitarian efforts and promoting a lasting solution.
First Piper 