Syria expresses approval for UN resolution to probe human rights abuses.

On Friday, Syria expressed support for a United Nations resolution aimed at examining violations and enhancing the country’s human-rights situation following the 13-year civil war led by former President Bashar al-Assad’s administration. The resolution, which requests Syria’s new administration to assist in investigations of crimes carried out during the conflict that began in 2011, was approved without dissent at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday.

It signifies a change in backing from the 47 member nations of the council towards Syria’s new administration and its attempts to enhance its human rights situation. Fighters led by the current president of the new transitional government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, took control of the capital Damascus in December. Assad escaped to Russia after 13 years of civil war, which resulted in the loss of over 100,000 individuals and the regime’s use of torture and chemical weapons.

Facing pressure to demonstrate a shift from the previous regime, Syria’s new administration embraced the resolution on Friday. Council members praised Syria’s participation on Friday and encouraged it to adhere to the commitments outlined in the resolution, including the Commission of Inquiry into serious offenses since the war’s inception.

“We are proud of Syria’s positive and constructive participation in drafting the resolution for the first time,” Syria Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said in a statement posted on X.

British U.N. Ambassador Simon Manley remarked that the murder of numerous Alwaite civilians—the minority group from which ousted leader Bashir al-Assad originates—in March served as a “chilling reminder of the deep wounds” caused by the conflict, highlighting the necessity for justice and accountability.