UN Human Rights Chief urges end to civilian killings in Syria

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has condemned the escalating violence in northwest Syria, calling for an immediate halt to the killing of civilians.

"We are receiving extremely disturbing reports of entire families, including women, children, and hors de combat fighters, being killed," Türk said, citing coordinated attacks involving elements of the former government, local armed groups, and unidentified perpetrators.

He urged the caretaker authorities to uphold the law, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations. "There must be prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations into all the killings," he stressed, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive transitional justice process to address ongoing violence and hate speech.