The Syrian Coalition’s office in Brussels organized a panel discussion a seminar under the title “Accountability and Prospects for a Political Solution to the Syrian Conflict” in The Hague on Wednesday. The panel discussion was held on the sidelines of the 14th session of the Assembly of States Parties in the International Criminal Court, and under the auspices of the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, France, Canada, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands and the European Commission.
It was also organized in cooperation with the Syrian-European Democratic Forum, No Peace Without Justice Organization, specialists and human rights activists in the justice and accountability issues.
Speakers at the panel discussion stressed that impunity in Syria is one of the main drivers of the Assad regime’s violence and crimes against civilians. They noted that issues of justice and accountability has not yet lived up to the level of atrocities, stressing the need to support efforts to document violations and crimes and bring those responsible to trial.
They pointed out that while the international community is increasingly preoccupied with the threat of ISIS, especially after the Paris attacks, the main responsibility for war crimes against civilians lies with the Assad regime, the main source of terrorism.
Speakers also stressed that any political solution must take into account doing justice to the victims, after which Syrians can work responsibly in the context of transitional justice.
Last week, and in collaboration with the Syrian Association for the Missing and Prisoners of Conscience, the Syrian Coalition’s office in Brussels organized The Caesar Photo Exhibit in The Hague to showcase photographs documenting the crimes committed by the Assad regime against Syrian detainees. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
