Thread by @skayyali1

Today marks ten years since the #Syria uprising started. Difficult to overstate the price paid by Syrians fighting for freedom, dignity & rights, and the importance of continuing to push for justice and reform. A thread on what we've seen this past decade. #Syria10 (1/12)

The #Syria gov’s brutal response to a peaceful uprising kicked off a decade of human rights abuses, inc. the detention & torture of 10000s, many of whom remain missing. Syrians like Ali Mustafa & Bassel Khartabil, who represent the best of Syria. (2/12) hrw.org/report/2012/07…

Conflict underscores cost of eroding respect for intl law. From the #Syria gov’s systematic use of chemical weapons + cluster munitions to starving communities to force surrender. 100s of 1000s lives lost, millions displaced & cities destroyed. Costs Syrians still bear (3/12)

While #Syria gov responsible for the lion’s share of violations, #ISIS, Jaish al-Islam, Kurdish-led authorities & others also inflicted abuse on many. Countries like Turkey, the US & Russia also committed abuses to further their agendas in #Syria. (4/12) hrw.org/news/2019/07/0…

But amidst the bloodshed, there have been some positive developments over the course of these ten years that we need to capitalize on: (5/12)

UN General Assembly in 2016 approved innovative accountability mechanism that circumvented Security Council’s failures - the #IIIM. Many states, like #Germany, are actively pursuing accountability for serious abuses using #universal jurisdiction. (6/12) hrw.org/report/2017/10…

The uprising broke the barrier of fear. And yes, many of us struggle with the cost of this, but, in a region where authoritarian voices prevail, #Syrians have shown us that what matters is to live with dignity. That is undeniable. Their courage inspires us. #Syria10 (7/12)

It also gave rise to a vibrant Syrian civil society – many of whom I’m honored to call friends. Men & women who have led movements to hold perpetrators accountable, find their loved ones. They’ve changed the landscape of 'locally-led' initiatives globally. (8/12)

So what now? A few key takeaways about the need to address the underlying causes of the conflict in any resolution: (9/12) hrw.org/news/2018/12/1…

#Syria is *not* safe. Those saying otherwise are driven by domestic political considerations, not truth. Many are still being arbitrarily arrested & tortured, even those ‘reconciled’. 100s have had their homes confiscated and demolished. Millions are going hungry. (10/12)

We've only just started on the path to accountability. More countries are trying to hold perpetrators in #Syria conflict accountable. That is good, but equally important that these same countries not shirk their responsibility towards Syrians at home (i.e. deportations). (11/12)

Without respect for human rights & accountability, no political solution & no amount of humanitarian aid will lead to a stable or safe #Syria. Simple as that. (12/12)