Observatory: Extension of the Investigation Committee's Work on Coastal Events Raises Fears of Evidence Tampering
The committee's lack of communication with victims' families raises concerns, confirming it's merely a formality, which worsens frustration and threatens confidence in the judicial process. The repeti
April 11, 2025, 8:48 pm

Observatory: Extension of the Investigation Committee's Work on Coastal Events Raises Fears of Evidence Tampering

الساحل السوري

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that extending the work of the fact-finding committee charged with investigating the events on the Syrian coast by three additional months raises concerns about the integrity of the investigation. There are fears this could lead to evidence tampering, increasing impunity and negatively affecting social stability.

According to the Observatory, the committee's continued work without tangible progress reinforces doubts about its credibility, especially amid pressure on victims' families to provide testimonies consistent with the official narrative, undermining any hope for justice. Delaying the announcement of results contributes to deepening frustration and increases the sense of injustice among families.

Reports indicate that the committee has failed to gain the trust of human rights organizations and residents, with many considering its members biased, raising questions about its independence. Rather than being a tool for achieving justice, the committee appears to be an attempt to absorb public anger without delivering real results.

In light of these developments, the Syrian Observatory is calling for the formation of an independent international investigation committee by decision of the Security Council, or a committee composed of judges known for their integrity, to cooperate with international bodies and ensure a transparent investigation into the crimes committed on March 7, 8, and 9.

The Observatory confirms it has documented evidence indicating the involvement of elements from government forces and allied forces in those crimes, with some appearing in video and audio recordings. However, authorities have not taken any legal action against them, reinforcing accusations of official complicity in protecting them.

Since the committee's establishment on March 9, there has been no indication of progress. The committee has not met with most of the victims' families and has not issued any official condemnation so far, reminiscent of previous experiences that failed to achieve justice and led to concealing the truth.

The Observatory warned that continuing this policy could lead to escalating tensions and threaten the country's future, emphasizing that the absence of accountability opens the door for crimes to be repeated, necessitating urgent international intervention to ensure perpetrators do not escape punishment.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”