Dutch government seeks to hold Syria accountable for torture
4 years, 3 months ago

Dutch government seeks to hold Syria accountable for torture

Associated Press  

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch government announced Friday it is holding Syria responsible under international law for “gross human rights violations,” in a process that could ultimately trigger a case at the United Nations’ highest court. The Dutch initiative was triggered Friday with a diplomatic note handed to Syrian diplomats in Geneva in which the Netherlands “reminded Syria of its international obligations” to halt violations of the torture convention and to compensate victims, the foreign ministry said in a statement. If the two countries can’t resolve the dispute, the Dutch government can propose arbitration and if that fails, the Netherlands “will submit the case to an international court,” the ministry said. By using the Torture Convention to demand justice for their plight, the Netherlands is standing for countless victims in an action that could ultimately trigger a case at the world’s highest court,” said Balkees Jarrah, the rights group’s associate international justice director.

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History of this topic

Syria’s interim gov’t pledges justice, jobs and security in ‘new era’
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Syria’s interim gov’t pledges justice, jobs and security in ‘new era’

Al Jazeera  

Syria’s new rulers have pledged to create special tribunals for those who have “committed crimes against Syrians” under deposed President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, according to the interim government’s spokesman. In an interview with Al Jazeera’s Osama bin Javaid, Obaid Arnaut said a key part of the new government’s mission as they usher in a “new era” is to re-establish people’s …

Syria’s al-Sharaa promises to punish those who tortured, killed detainees
1 month ago

Syria’s al-Sharaa promises to punish those who tortured, killed detainees

Al Jazeera  

HTS leader seeks ‘justice’ for detainees as Syria’s new rulers attempt to stabilise the country after years of civilwar. “We will pursue them in Syria, and we ask countries to hand over those who fled so we can achieve justice,” Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, said in a statement published on the Syrian …

US charges two former Syrian officials for allegedly torturing Americans and Syrian nationals
1 month ago

US charges two former Syrian officials for allegedly torturing Americans and Syrian nationals

CNN  

CNN — Two former high-ranking Syrian intelligence officials have been charged with war crimes for allegedly torturing Americans and other civilians who were deemed enemies by the Syrian government and held in a military prison, the Department of Justice said Monday. “The perpetrators of the Assad regime’s atrocities against American citizens and other civilians during the Syrian civil war must …

Human rights group alleges widespread torture, abuse of detainees accused of IS affiliation in Syria
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Human rights group alleges widespread torture, abuse of detainees accused of IS affiliation in Syria

Associated Press  

BEIRUT — Amnesty International said Wednesday it has documented widespread abuses, including torture and deprivation of medical care, in detention facilities holding thousands of suspected Islamic State members and their relatives in northeast Syria. The Amnesty report said the vast majority of detainees are being held “indefinitely, without charge or trial, in violation of international human rights law and international …

We know who created Syria’s torture programme and how
1 year ago

We know who created Syria’s torture programme and how

Al Jazeera  

And we have enough evidence for courts to hold them to account. On April 18, 2011, the Central Crisis Management Cell, a top-level security coordinating body whose decisions President Bashar al-Assad signed off on, declared that the “time of tolerance and meeting demands is over”. In early August 2011, a document CIJA obtained showed that the security intelligence apparatus was …

Syria in International Court of Justice dock over 'abhorrent', 'widespread' torture
1 year, 3 months ago

Syria in International Court of Justice dock over 'abhorrent', 'widespread' torture

Firstpost  

Canada and the Netherlands have dragged Syria before the International Court of Justice, asking the court to demand urgent measures to stop the ongoing mistreatment of thousands still detained Syria has tortured tens of thousands of its people and maintains a “widespread and pervasive” system of “abhorrent treatment”, world court judges heard on Tuesday at the first international case over …

The ICJ can slow down Assad’s normalisation drive
1 year, 6 months ago

The ICJ can slow down Assad’s normalisation drive

Al Jazeera  

The case filed against the Syrian regime may not immediately result in justice for its victims, but it will undermine attempts to rehabilitate it. China, Russia and, initially, the United States all thwarted efforts to allow the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, to investigate atrocities in Syria. Ottawa has said it …

Little torture in NL, but Antilles are less safe, report finds
1 year, 6 months ago

Little torture in NL, but Antilles are less safe, report finds

Dutch News  

A report from the Council of Europe’s Anti-Torture Committee finds little evidence of torture in the Netherlands itself but significant problems in detention facilities on Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The report is part of a periodic review of countries that have signed the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a 1987 …

Little torture in NL, but Antilles are less safe, report finds
1 year, 6 months ago

Little torture in NL, but Antilles are less safe, report finds

Dutch News  

A report from the Council of Europe’s Anti-Torture Committee finds little evidence of torture in the Netherlands itself but significant problems in detention facilities on Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The report is part of a periodic review of countries that have signed the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a 1987 …

A US civil case gives us, Syrians, a glimmer of hope
1 year, 8 months ago

A US civil case gives us, Syrians, a glimmer of hope

Al Jazeera  

A new lawsuit against the Syrian regime filed in the US is an important step towards justice for Syria’s disappeared. It was an important moment, for not just me but all of us Syrians, whose loved ones have been forcibly disappeared by Bashar al-Assad’s regime, kept in arbitrary detention without charge, tortured and even killed. Although Syria has disappeared from …

Syrian war crimes suspect held in Netherlands denies accusations
2 years, 4 months ago

Syrian war crimes suspect held in Netherlands denies accusations

NL Times  

A 34-year-old man arrested in Kerkrade in May on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria in 2013 denies all charges against him. According to the authorities, Mustafa A. sided with the Syrian regime and committed war crimes. A. said he indeed joined Liwa al-Qud, a militia that works closely with Syrian intelligence and the Russian …

It’s high time the UK government pursued justice for the Syrian people
2 years, 11 months ago

It’s high time the UK government pursued justice for the Syrian people

The Independent  

On Thursday, in the first trial of its kind worldwide, a German court convicted the most high-ranking Syrian officer yet of crimes against humanity. The UK special representative for Syria dubbed it “historic” and “a step towards justice and accountability for the Syrian people”. The grim truth is that a decade on from the start of Syria’s horrific war, there …

Syrian torture survivors brace for verdict in landmark trial on crimes against humanity
2 years, 11 months ago

Syrian torture survivors brace for verdict in landmark trial on crimes against humanity

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Survivors of torture in Syria …

We need better laws to prosecute atrocities in Syria
2 years, 11 months ago

We need better laws to prosecute atrocities in Syria

Al Jazeera  

Some states continue to put barriers to universal jurisdiction which prevent the prosecution of Syrian war criminals. In principle, when a state like Syria is unwilling or unable to investigate and prosecute such crimes, the international community and the guardian of international peace and security, the United Nations Security Council, should ensure that the situation is referred to the International …

For victims, Syria torture trial is 1st step toward justice
2 years, 11 months ago

For victims, Syria torture trial is 1st step toward justice

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Victims of torture in Syria and human rights activists say they hope the upcoming verdict in a landmark trial will be a first step toward justice for countless Syrians who suffered abuse at the hands of President Bashar Assad’s government in the country’s long-running conflict. A court in the German city of Koblenz is scheduled to deliver its …

Syrian victims brace for verdict in landmark torture trial
2 years, 11 months ago

Syrian victims brace for verdict in landmark torture trial

Al Jazeera  

German court to deliver judgement on former colonel Anwar Raslan, the highest ranking official to be tried for atrocities committed in Syria. Koblenz, Germany – Syrian victims and human rights observers are bracing for the verdict in the world’s first criminal trial on state- The judgement will be handed down at a court in Koblenz, a southwestern German city, on …

A historic state-sponsored torture trial could mean some long-awaited justice for Syrians
2 years, 11 months ago

A historic state-sponsored torture trial could mean some long-awaited justice for Syrians

The Independent  

Few would make the connection between a comparatively sleepy town in western Germany and some of the most hellish underground torture chambers of the regime of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. But Thursday will mark the verdict of the world’s first ever trial on state- Eyad A, a low-level guard at the Syrian State Security Branch 251, is accused of …

The Netherlands to try to repatriate five terrorist suspects from Syria
3 years, 2 months ago

The Netherlands to try to repatriate five terrorist suspects from Syria

Dutch News  

The government plans to try to bring five Dutch terrorist suspects back from Syria to ensure they don’t escape trial, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus has told MPs. The decision follows Rotterdam court rulings, which said the cases could be suspended unless the suspects are brought back within three and six months, or unless concrete steps have been made to repatriate …

The Netherlands to try to repatriate five terrorist suspects from Syria
3 years, 2 months ago

The Netherlands to try to repatriate five terrorist suspects from Syria

Dutch News  

The government plans to try to bring five Dutch terrorist suspects back from Syria to ensure they don’t escape trial, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus has told MPs. The decision follows Rotterdam court rulings, which said the cases could be suspended unless the suspects are brought back within three and six months, or unless concrete steps have been made to repatriate …

Dutch court: Syrian guilty of war crime in prisoner shooting
3 years, 5 months ago

Dutch court: Syrian guilty of war crime in prisoner shooting

Associated Press  

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court convicted a Syrian man Friday of committing a war crime in his country for his role in the 2012 summary execution of a prisoner. The case marked the first time a Dutch court has dealt with allegations of war crimes committed in Syria. The Dutch court said the defendant played a leading role …

Prosecutor seeks 27 years in jail for military execution by Syrian refugee
3 years, 6 months ago

Prosecutor seeks 27 years in jail for military execution by Syrian refugee

NL Times  

Prosecutors have demanded a 27-year prison sentence for Syrian refugee Ahmad al K. for his role in the execution of a Syrian soldier. Adding to the sentence is Al K.’s involvement in leading the terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra, NOS reported. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has been investigating war crimes in Syria for multiple years. Al K.’s crimes can be …

Syria: NGOs file landmark case against Russian Wagner Group
3 years, 9 months ago

Syria: NGOs file landmark case against Russian Wagner Group

Al Jazeera  

Three prominent advocacy groups from France, Russia and Syria file criminal complaint over 2017 beheading of a Syrian man. Three prominent advocacy groups from France, Russia and Syria filed the criminal complaint against alleged members of the contractor outfit over the 2017 beheading of a man believed to have deserted from the Syrian army. Wagner, a shadowy military outfit comprising …

Netherlands and Canada initiate joint effort to hold Syria accountable for human rights violations
3 years, 9 months ago

Netherlands and Canada initiate joint effort to hold Syria accountable for human rights violations

NL Times  

Ten years after the start of the conflict in Syria, the regime has announced that it wishes to enter into talks with the Netherlands about the liability for gross human rights violations. Ten years later, gross human rights violations in Syria are still the order of the day. The commitment of both countries will be to end daily crimes that …

UN: Arbitrary detentions in Syria conflict may be war crimes
3 years, 10 months ago

UN: Arbitrary detentions in Syria conflict may be war crimes

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Tens of thousands of civilians in Syria were “arbitrarily detained” in enforced disappearances during the country’s 10-year conflict, a U.N. commission said in a report released Monday. According to the report, the Syrian government arbitrarily arrested and detained individuals and committed “war crimes and crimes against humanity in the context of detention.” Other parties in the conflict also …

Conviction in landmark case over Syrian government torture
3 years, 10 months ago

Conviction in landmark case over Syrian government torture

Associated Press  

BERLIN — A former member of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s secret police was convicted Wednesday by a German court of facilitating the torture of prisoners in a landmark ruling that human rights activists hope will set a precedent for other cases in the decade-long conflict. “Today’s verdict is the first time a court has confirmed that the acts of the …

World’s first Syria torture trial opens in Germany
4 years, 8 months ago

World’s first Syria torture trial opens in Germany

Al Jazeera  

Two ex-military members accused of torture had been living in Germany as refugees and were arrested over a year ago. Koblenz, Germany – The world’s first trial of a senior member of the Syrian military for war crimes got under way in Germany on Thursday, despite ongoing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The accused – Anwar Raslan, a former …

Syria refugees to face their torturers in German court
4 years, 8 months ago

Syria refugees to face their torturers in German court

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Six years ago Wassim Mukdad fled Syria, demoralized and fearing for his life as the country spiraled ever deeper into all-out war. German prosecutors last fall charged the 57-year-old R., whose full surname wasn’t released for privacy reasons, with crimes against humanity, murder and rape in a case that human rights activists say marks the first time worldwide …

Netherlands does not have to help kids trapped in Syria: Appellate Court
5 years, 1 month ago

Netherlands does not have to help kids trapped in Syria: Appellate Court

NL Times  

The Netherlands will not have to retrieve children of Dutch citizens awaiting their fates in Syrian detention and displacement camps, the kids of Dutch women who left the Netherlands to enter conflict zones in Syria and Iraq. Attorneys for the Dutch government argued that children cannot be brought to the Netherlands on their own for fear of causing greater problems …

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