Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

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

Articles 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Protection of persons belonging to tribal populations (Bedouin). Collaboration of tribal representatives with the Constitutional Committee for Syria. In its previous comment, referring to the continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country, the Committee noted with deep concern the escalation of attacks against the civilian population which could have an impact on the rights of tribal populations covered by the Convention. The Committee noted the efforts of the Government to establish, with the support of the United Nations, a Constitutional Committee composed of Government delegates, opposition representatives, Syrian experts and civil society, including tribal leaders and women, aimed at putting an end to the conflict in the country. It requested 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. While noting the absence of information in the Government’s report on this point, the Committee notes the launch of the Constitutional Committee for Syria in September 2019, facilitated by the United Nations and composed of 45 members, including 15 representatives of civil society, and its subsequent meetings. It also notes with concern that according to the report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, dated 28 January 2020, all warring parties continue to ignore or deny protection, including guarantees of sustained and unhindered humanitarian assistance, to vulnerable civilians. In some areas of the country, the conditions for return of displaced persons remain largely absent and individuals often suffer on the basis of multiple aspects of their identity, including their gender, age or ethnicity (A/HRC/43/57, para. 81). According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization situation report on Syria of June 2020, the destruction of agricultural infrastructure has severely affected Syrians livelihoods and food security. According to this report, as of June 2020, a total number of 9.3 million people were facing severe acute food insecurity and that an additional 1.9 million people were at risk of food insecurity. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation on the ground and the continued presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country, the Committee hopes that the work of the Constitutional Committee for Syria will lead to the achievement of a lasting solution to the conflict and to the improvement of the living conditions of the civil population, including the tribal population (Bedouin). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the manner in which representatives of Bedouin communities collaborate with the Constitutional Committee and how their rights are taken into account in the peace process and the development of a new Constitution for Syria. The Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to protect the life and institutions of the members of the Bedouin populations in conflict areas and to provide information in this regard.

Article 6. Improvement of the conditions of life, work and level of education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication regarding the implementation of an intensive educational curriculum in schools located in areas with a settled Bedouin population, and of a self-learning curriculum in areas lacking schools with an unsettled Bedouin population. The Committee notes that the Government has not replied to its request for further information on the implementation and impact of these educational programmes. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of educational programmes 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 improving their lives. It requests the Government to indicate how the Bedouin population and their representatives collaborate in the design and implementation of these programmes and projects.