Rebel Factions Establish a Unified Judicial Council in East Ghouta

Rebels factions in East Ghouta announced today the establishment of the Unified Judicial Council that comprises five members. The agreement to form the Council entails the following points: The mandate to arbitrate is given to the judicial institution rather than to individual judges. The task of the Council is to arbitrate disputes. The Chief Justice is required to consult with the Shura Council and not to disagree with their consensus. The signatories stated that the Judicial Council is an independent body and not subordinate to any military, civil, or political party, nor does it interfere in politics or issues of governance. However, the Judicial Council accepts an advisory committee headed by Sheikh Samir Kaa’ki who may provide non-binding suggestions. The signatory armed factions are responsible for providing support, protection, and funding. They are not entitled to detain civilians without arrest warrants. The statement added that the judges of the Council would assess the work of the Council and its Chief Justice every six months to make the appropriate amendments. The executive branch of the Council is non-military and independent of the military factions, and is directly subordinate to the judicial authority. The member judges are to introduce themselves to the public. The military formations can request an arrest warrant for any suspect considered to be a security risk provided that they maintain the confidentiality of these warrants due to their sensitivity. It is worth noting that the agreement was signed by 17 rebel factions working in East Ghouta, most notably the Originality and Development Front, the Islamic Union of Ajnad al-Sham, the Islamic Front and Al Rahman Corps. In other developments, rebels clashed with regime forces on the Southern Highway near Zamalka and in Mleiha, while barrel bombs hit the outskirts of Zabadani, causing material damage. (Source: Syrian Coalition + LCC)