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Homs Ceasefire

  • Country/entity

    Syria
  • Region

    Middle East and North Africa
  • Agreement name

    Homs Ceasefire
  • Date

    4 Dec 2015
  • Agreement status

    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement

    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level

  • Stage

    Ceasefire/related
  • Conflict nature

    Government
  • Peace process

    Intra-Syrian Process (state/non-state)
  • Parties

    Government
    Deeb Zaytūn, head of the Syrian Intelligence
    Talāl al-Barāzī, Governor of Homs

    Rebel Groups
    Faylaq al-Shām: Āhrār al-Shām and Katā’ib al-Jihād al-Islāmī
    [participants not noted in agreement]
  • Third parties

    International Observers Yaqoub al-Helo, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Syria Khoula Matar, head of UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura's political office.
  • Description

    A short truce for the city of Homs allowing for the withdrawal of non-state militants, disarmament, relocation of civilians and past provisions for victims.


Groups

  • Children/youth

    No specific mention.

  • Disabled persons

    No specific mention.

  • Elderly/age

    No specific mention.

  • Migrant workers

    No specific mention.

  • Racial/ethnic/national group

    No specific mention.

  • Religious groups

    No specific mention.

  • Indigenous people

    No specific mention.

  • Other groups

    No specific mention.

  • Refugees/displaced persons
    Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    4. Civilians who left or were displaced shall return to the neighbourhood.
  • Social class

    No specific mention.


Gender

  • Women, girls and gender

    No specific mention.

  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family

    No specific mention.


State definition

  • Nature of state (general)

    No specific mention.

  • State configuration

    No specific mention.

  • Self determination

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum

    No specific mention.

  • State symbols

    No specific mention.

  • Independence/secession

    No specific mention.

  • Accession/unification

    No specific mention.

  • Border delimitation

    No specific mention.

  • Cross-border provision

    No specific mention.


Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)

    No specific mention.

  • Elections

    No specific mention.

  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society
    Page 1, First Phase:
    4. Humanitarian organisations will be permitted to do their work
  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution

    No specific mention.


Power sharing

  • Political power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Territorial power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Economic power sharing

    No specific mention.

  • Military power sharing

    No specific mention.


Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general

    No specific mention.

  • Bill of rights/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Treaty incorporation

    No specific mention.

  • Civil and political rights

    No specific mention.

  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship

    No specific mention.

  • Democracy

    No specific mention.

  • Detention procedures

    No specific mention.

  • Media and communication

    No specific mention.

  • Mobility/access

    No specific mention.

  • Protection measures
    Rights related issues→Protection measures→Other
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    1. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.) will be opened. The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively. The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.
  • Other

    No specific mention.


Rights institutions

  • NHRI

    No specific mention.

  • Regional or international human rights institutions

    No specific mention.


Justice sector reform

  • Criminal justice and emergency law

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    5. Release of those who have been arrested, except for convicts or those referred to court, and of those kidnapped on both sides.
  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws

    No specific mention.


Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction
    Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
    Page 1, First Phase:
    4. Humanitarian organisations will be permitted to do their work
  • National economic plan

    No specific mention.

  • Natural resources

    No specific mention.

  • International funds

    No specific mention.

  • Business

    No specific mention.

  • Taxation

    No specific mention.

  • Banks

    No specific mention.


Land, property and environment

  • Land reform/rights

    No specific mention.

  • Pastoralist/nomadism rights

    No specific mention.

  • Cultural heritage

    No specific mention.

  • Environment
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    2. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.) will be opened. The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively. The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.
  • Water or riparian rights or access

    No specific mention.


Security sector

  • Security Guarantees
    Page 2, Third Phase:
    At the end of these terms, the situation of the areas of Jazīrah al-Siba’ah and al-Basatīn will be assessed in a meeting between the two sides.
  • Ceasefire
    Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
    Page 1, First Phase:
    1. A full ceasefire for a period of ten days from the date of signing the agreement.
    2. Expulsion [from the talks] of those who contravene or breach this agreement
    ... 5. The ‘Diwār Muhandisīn’ Road connecting the al-Wa’ir neighbourhood and the city will be opened for pedestrians only. [Government] Security forces will establish a checkpoint. Those wishing to relocate outside the neighbourhood will be allowed to return to settle their affaires in the office located beside the checkpoint. Those needing to settle [further] issues are to be taken to the [city] centre.


    Page 1, At the end of the first phase, the actions taken will be evaluated to avoid negative repercussions. The undertaking of phase one is also limited to 25 days, and on the condition that no article will be implemented unless article one is upheld.
  • Police
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    1. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.) will be opened. The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively. The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.
  • Armed forces

    No specific mention.

  • DDR
    Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
    Page 1, First Phase:
    ... 3. Presentation of a list of medium and heavy weapons, which are to be surrendered during the second phase.

    Page 1, Second Phase:
    1. All medium and heavy weaponry is to be gathered by the Joint Commission consisting of the Neighbourhood and Regime Committees. The weapons will remain in storage facilities within the neighbourhood (in the al-Barr Hospital). These arms will be barred from use and under the supervision of the Joint Commission.

    Page 1, Second Phase:
    3. A plan will be presented that includes mine disposal within the neighbourhood, except the area of al-Jazīrah al-Siba’ah.
    6. Medium and heavy weapons located in the al-Barr Hospital will be handed over to the regime.
  • Intelligence services
    Page 1, Second Phase:
    1. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.) will be opened. The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively. The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.
  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces

    No specific mention.

  • Withdrawal of foreign forces

    No specific mention.

  • Corruption

    No specific mention.

  • Crime/organised crime

    No specific mention.

  • Drugs

    No specific mention.

  • Terrorism

    No specific mention.


Transitional justice

  • Transitional justice general

    No specific mention.

  • Amnesty/pardon

    No specific mention.

  • Courts

    No specific mention.

  • Mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Prisoner release
    First Phase:
    ... 6. The Neighbourhood Committee shall prepare lists of those missing, kidnapped, or of unknown fate, and will thereby work to determine their fates. In addition, a list of names shall be prepared to include those arrested and facing prison sentences by the regime, [who will later] be released upon surrendering medium and heavy weaponry in the second phase.

    Page 1, Second Phase:
    5. Release of those who have been arrested, except for convicts or those referred to court, and of those kidnapped on both sides.
  • Vetting

    No specific mention.

  • Victims

    No specific mention.

  • Missing persons
    First Phase:
    ... 6. The Neighbourhood Committee shall prepare lists of those missing, kidnapped, or of unknown fate, and will thereby work to determine their fates. In addition, a list of names shall be prepared to include those arrested and facing prison sentences by the regime, [who will later] be released upon surrendering medium and heavy weaponry in the second phase.
  • Reparations

    No specific mention.

  • Reconciliation

    No specific mention.


Implementation

  • UN signatory
    International Observers
    Yaqoub al-Helo, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Syria [signatory status unknown.]
    Khoula Matar, head of UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura's political office. [signatory status unknown.]
  • Other international signatory

    No specific mention.

  • Referendum for agreement

    No specific mention.

  • International mission/force/similar

    No specific mention.

  • Enforcement mechanism

    No specific mention.

  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    Source: ‘Al-Arabi al-Jadeed publishes the truce agreement for al-Wa’er neighbourhood in Homs’, al-Araby, 4 December 2015, https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/2015/12/3/العربي-الجديد-ينشر-اتفاق-هدنة-حي-الوعر-في-حمص

Homs Ceasefire

December 4, 2015

First Phase:

1. A full ceasefire for a period of ten days from the date of signing the agreement.

2. Expulsion [from the talks] of those who contravene or breach this agreement

3. Presentation of a list of medium and heavy weapons, which are to be surrendered during the second phase.

4. Humanitarian organisations will be permitted to do their work

5. The ‘Diwār Muhandisīn’ Road connecting the al-Wa’ir neighbourhood and the city will be opened for pedestrians only. [

Government] Security forces will establish a checkpoint.

Those wishing to relocate outside the neighbourhood will be allowed to return to settle their affaires in the office located beside the checkpoint.

Those needing to settle [further] issues are to be taken to the [city] centre.

6. The Neighbourhood Committee shall prepare lists of those missing, kidnapped, or of unknown fate, and will thereby work to determine their fates.

In addition, a list of names shall be prepared to include those arrested and facing prison sentences by the regime, [who will later] be released upon surrendering medium and heavy weaponry in the second phase.

At the end of the first phase, the actions taken will be evaluated to avoid negative repercussions.

The undertaking of phase one is also limited to 25 days, and on the condition that no article will be implemented unless article one is upheld.

Second Phase:

1. All medium and heavy weaponry is to be gathered by the Joint Commission consisting of the Neighbourhood and Regime Committees.

The weapons will remain in storage facilities within the neighbourhood (in the al-Barr Hospital).

These arms will be barred from use and under the supervision of the Joint Commission.

2. The roads leading to general services (the Post Office, and the Directorate of Environmental Affairs) and the government roundabouts ([the roundabouts including] the station, the Judicial Palace and the blood bank, etc.)

will be opened.

The protection of roads will be undertaken by a limited number of men from the intelligence services and the police for the specified duration exclusively.

The police and intelligence services will be responsible for the operation of these services, whereon this will be discussed with the Central Negotiation Commission.

3. A plan will be presented that includes mine disposal within the neighbourhood, except the area of al-Jazīrah al-Siba’ah.

4. Civilians who left or were displaced shall return to the neighbourhood.

5. Release of those who have been arrested, except for convicts or those referred to court, and of those kidnapped on both sides.

6. Medium and heavy weapons located in the al-Barr Hospital will be handed over to the regime.

7. The implementation of this phase will take between 15 and 25 days.

Third Phase:

At the end of these terms, the situation of the areas of Jazīrah al-Siba’ah and al-Basatīn will be assessed in a meeting between the two sides.

[End of the Agreement]

Participants [From third party media, not stated in online document]

Government

Deeb Zaytūn, head of the Syrian Intelligence

Talāl al-Barāzī, Governor of Homs

Rebel Groups

Faylaq al-Shām:

Āhrār al-Shām and Katā’ib al-Jihād al-Islāmī

International Observers

Yaqoub al-Helo, the representative of the United Nations Development Program in Syria

Khoula Matar, head of UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura's political office.