On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Mansour Fawzi al-Sharif, a resident of the city of al-Sanamayn in the northern countryside of Daraa Governorate, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the city. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to what the Syrian Network for Human Rights has documented from reliable local sources, gunmen opened fire on Mansour while he was on a public street in the city, resulting in his death from gunshot wounds. The network is continuing to collect eyewitness accounts to verify the circumstances of the incident and fully document it.
Legal Conclusions:
The killing of Mansour al-Sharif by direct fire by unknown gunmen, without any legal justification or engagement, constitutes an extrajudicial killing and constitutes a grave violation of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stipulates that every human being has the inherent right to life and that no one may be arbitrarily deprived of it.
Indiscriminate shooting by an armed group not subject to official control in a vital civilian area constitutes a failure to fulfill a state’s obligations to protect the civilian population, and contravenes the principle of the “duty to protect” binding on de facto authorities under international law.
The fact that the gunmen are unknown does not diminish the transitional government’s responsibility to maintain security. The inability to contain civil conflicts or the behavior of local armed groups impacts the enforcement of the rule of law. If perpetrators are not identified and prosecuted, this reinforces a pattern of impunity, undermines civilian confidence in justice, and creates a dangerous environment for the recurrence of these crimes.
Recommendations by SNHR:
Open an urgent, impartial, and transparent investigation, under the supervision of independent judicial authorities, to uncover the circumstances of the crime and identify the perpetrators, while ensuring witness protection and documenting evidence.
The transitional government must protect vital areas, including by deploying security checkpoints, activating surveillance equipment, and tightening control over unofficial armed groups.
Prosecute all those involved, including any parties or local groups involved in the shooting, and bring them to fair and public trials that guarantee the rights of victims and their families.
Providing financial and moral compensation to the victim’s family and psychological support, as part of reparations in accordance with international standards.
Launching a local awareness campaign on respect for the rule of law and the rejection of random weapons, with the participation of local community leaders, to combat irregular armament and tribal violence.
