The Hana Human Rights Organization has learned that the governorate of Baneh, in a notice announced to take effect from Sunday, 22 March 2026, has banned climbing to highlands and overnight stays in mountainous areas of the county, warning that in case of violation, “responsibility for any shooting and risks to life” will lie with the citizens themselves. The notice also calls on local residents to cooperate with military and security forces.
The Hana Human Rights Organization expresses serious concern over the content of this notice, emphasizing that imposing such restrictions without a clear and legally grounded basis is in conflict with the right to freedom of movement. Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights affirms that anyone lawfully within a country has the right to freedom of movement, and any restriction on this right must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Hana further warns that language such as placing “responsibility for any shooting and risks to life” on citizens cannot, from a human rights perspective, absolve the state and its armed or security forces of their legal obligations to protect civilian lives. The right to life is recognized under Article 6 of the ICCPR, and states are obligated to protect individuals from foreseeable threats. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has also clarified that protecting the right to life requires establishing legal frameworks and taking effective measures to prevent foreseeable threats to human life.
Moreover, international standards governing the use of force are clear. The United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms, as well as the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, emphasize that force may only be used when strictly necessary and only to the extent required to perform a duty, and that officials must respect human dignity and rights at all times. Therefore, no administrative notice can serve as a justification for indiscriminate use of force or for shifting responsibility for lethal consequences onto civilians.
Within this context, Hana also considers the call in the notice for citizens to cooperate with military and security forces to be concerning, as such language, particularly under current conflict conditions, may contribute to an atmosphere of intimidation, increased violence, and heightened pressure on residents of border areas.