UN experts welcome lifting of sanctions against Syria

GENEVA

UN experts on Thursday welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Syria by the US, EU, UK, and Switzerland, ending more than 14 years of what they described as "severe and widespread human rights impacts" across the country.

"Sanctions on Syria are no longer justified for the actions of the (Bashar) al-Assad Government after it was deposed in December 2024. Their lifting opens promising pathways to recovery. We urge the interim Government to prioritise the reconstruction of sustainable infrastructure and public services to fulfil the wide range of human rights at risk in Syria," the experts said in a statement.

The sanctions were initially imposed in response to widespread human rights violations by the al-Assad government during the 2011 crackdown on pro-democracy protests, with the goal of reducing repression, international crimes, the use of chemical weapons, and terrorism sponsorship.

"Despite being targeted and providing for humanitarian exemptions, the sanctions had the unintended consequences of seriously impeding the human rights of the Syrian people and the delivery of humanitarian relief," the experts said, citing impacts on access to food, health, education, water, and internet.

While major economic restrictions have been lifted, measures against former regime figures and arms-related embargoes remain. The US, in its June 2025 executive order, revoked key sanctions but retained penalties on Bashar al-Assad and others.

"We call on all actors maintaining sanctions, and engaged in the reconstruction of Syria, to abide by international human rights law," they said, also urging inclusive, nondiscriminatory aid and voicing concern over recent violence in Suwayda and Israeli intervention.