UN High Commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, has urged transitional justice for victims of Syria’s yearslong civil war.

He asserted that it enhances public trust in state institutions as the county moves ahead under its de facto new leaders after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

This came as he visited Syria, the first-ever visit by someone in his post to the country.

At a press conference in Damascus, the UN High Commissioner for human rights said that transitional justice is “crucial” as Syria moves forward, adding, “Revenge and vengeance are never the answer.”

“The enforced disappearances, the torture, the use of chemical weapons, among other atrocity crimes, must be fully investigated and then justice must be served, fairly and impartially.”
Volker Türk

Türk stressed that such acts constitute the most serious crimes under international humanitarian law.

He noted among them, “that banned chemicals were used against civilians … and not just once, says a lot about the extreme brutality of the tactics used by the former regime.”

Since rebels seized Damascus last month, the UN has called for Assad and others to be held accountable for the crimes committed during more than 13 years of civil war.

Syria’s conflict erupted in 2011 after Assad’s brutal crackdown of anti-government protests.

More than half a million people were killed and millions displaced from their homes.

Tens of thousands of people have been detained and tortured in the country’s jails, while Assad has been accused of using chemical weapons including banned sarin gas against his own people.

The new authorities have sought to reassure Syrians and the international community in recent weeks that they will respect the rights of minorities while rebuilding the country.

Türk, Syria’s De Facto Leader Discuss Opportunities And Challenges

Türk said during the visit that he and the country’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussed “the opportunities and challenges awaiting this new Syria.”

“He acknowledged and assured me of the importance of respect for human rights for all Syrians and all different components of Syrian society.”
Volker Türk

He disclosed that al-Sharaa also backed “the pursuit of healing, trust building and social cohesion and the reform of institutions.”

After a war that has ravaged Syria’s economy and infrastructure, Türk also called for an easing of certain western sanctions imposed on Syria under Assad’s rule. “I … call for an urgent reconsideration of … sanctions with a view to lifting them,” he said, adding that they had “a negative impact on the enjoyment of rights” of Syrians.

European countries and the United States imposed sanctions on Assad’s government shortly after the conflict started.

They have been wary over the Islamist roots of the former insurgents who now lead an interim government.

“The people of Syria need every ounce of help they can get to rebuild a country that works for all Syrians.”
Volker Türk

He added that there are still threats to Syria’s territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty which must be fully respected. “The ongoing conflicts and hostilities must end,” he said.

Türk said that he had visited the notorious Saydnaya prison and met a former detainee, “a former soldier suspected of being a defector.” “He told me of the cruel treatment he endured. I cannot even bear to share the stories of beatings and torture that he shared with me,” he said.

Thousands of detainees poured out of prisons after Assad’s fall.

However, many Syrians are still looking for traces of tens of thousands of loved ones still missing, with many believed to have been buried in mass graves.