The Vice President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abdul Majeed Barakat, emphasized that Switzerland’s prosecution of Rifaat al-Assad and holding him accountable comes as a belated step. According to Barakat, this action should have been taken more than 40 years ago, when al-Assad resided in France and stashed Syrian assets in European banks, rather than after his escape to Syria, where he became inaccessible.
In a press statement, Barakat highlighted the significance of pursuing war criminals in Syria and holding them accountable as integral to achieving the desired political solution in the country. He called for the activation of the UN-established International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism to ensure accountability of war criminals in Syria.
Barakat further lamented the international community’s inaction and leniency towards holding figures of the Assad regime responsible for the atrocities committed against Syrian civilians. He remarked, “The apparent indifference to universal principles and values aimed at achieving justice and fairness paints a bleak picture, turning them into mere slogans and frameworks without tangible substance.”
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
