Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957 (No. 107) - Syrian Arab Republic (Ratification: 1959)

In its previous comments, the Committee expressed its deep concern about the armed conflict and acts of violence that had caused countless victims, including among the country’s tribal populations covered by the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the 2018 Report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the humanitarian situation in the country continues to deteriorate and, after seven years of conflict, 5.5 million people have fled the country and are now refugees, and more than 6.5 million people live displaced inside Syria (A/HRC/39/65, paragraph 64). The Committee once again expresses its deep concern for the escalation of attacks against the civilian population, which may have an impact on the exercise of the rights of tribal populations covered by the Convention.

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Protection of the persons belonging to tribal populations (Bedouin). Collaboration with tribal representatives. The Committee notes from the Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry that between 16 January and 10 July 2018, more than 1 million Syrian men, women and children have fled their homes located in different governorates where fierce battles have taken place including Aleppo, Dara’a, Damascus, Homs, Idlib, and Rif Damascus (A/HRC/39/65, paragraph 64). The Committee further notes that, according to a press statement made by the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Syria on 14 June 2018, the Government is making efforts to establish a constitutional committee composed of Government delegates, opposition representatives in the intra-Syrian talks, Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women, and with the UN acting as facilitator. The Committee notes that the constitutional committee will be guided by the principles set forth in the Final Statement made by the Congress of the Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi in January 2018 which called for a peaceful settlement of the internal crisis based on the respect and protection of human rights and public freedoms, including non-discrimination and equal rights and opportunities for all without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, cultural or linguistic identity, gender or any other distinction. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground and the presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to protect the life and institutions of the members of the Bedouin populations in conflict areas. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which representatives of Bedouin communities collaborate in searching for “a peaceful settlement of the internal crisis” and on the development of a coordinated and systematic action for the protection of their rights under the Convention.

Article 6. Improvement of the conditions of life and work and level of education. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that an intensive educational curriculum is being implemented in schools located in areas with a settled Bedouin population and that a self-learning curriculum is being implemented in areas lacking schools with an unsettled Bedouin population. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the implementation of educational curricula to benefit the Bedouin populations and of any projects aimed at the economic development of the regions inhabited by these populations, indicating the manner in which these projects have contributed to the improvement of their living and working conditions. Please indicate how the collaboration of the Bedouin population and their representatives is sought in the design and implementation of these projects.