The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry reported Wednesday that the humanitarian crisis for Syrian civilians has worsened. The 39-page report details “new levels of hardship and suffering” after more than ten years of conflict in Syria.

Commission Chair Paulo Pinheiro called for a review of sanctions currently imposed on Syria. He warned, “where sanctions are not adequately reviewed, they can lead to further shortages and impede humanitarian assistance, for the most vulnerable populations…”Currently, 90 percent of Syrians live in poverty, 12 million people experience food insecurity, and 14.6 million need some form of humanitarian assistance. Inflation in Syria reached 140 percent at the outset of 2022 and continues to spiral out of control. The Commission believes that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will only damage the economy and push more Syrians into poverty.

Commissioner Lynn Welchman spoke to increased levels of gender-based violence, saying:

Women suffer sexual and gender-based violence in detention – and in their daily life, as they navigate restrictions imposed by armed groups, the myriad checkpoints where they are particularly vulnerable, and the array of challenges that predate the current crisis and that have only been made worse by the ongoing conflict.

The Commission has particular concerns that the UN Security Council has refused to take “concerted action” to aid Syrians. For example, investigations by a US-led coalition initially dismissed “hundreds of reports of civilian casualties.” The Commission commended some progress. In January 2022, the Koblenz Higher Regional Court in Germany found a former Syrian intelligence officer guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to life in prison. Commissioner Hanny Megally believes “[a]ll forms of accountability must be strengthened” to protect victims of crimes against humanity like forced disappearance.

The Commission will present its report on March 18, 2022, during the 49th session of the Human Rights Council.