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Conviction of top Syrian intelligence official ‘a landmark leap forward’ |



The man, known as Anwar R, is accused of complicity in the torture of thousands of people between 2011 and 2012 at the Al-Khatib Branch of the Syrian General Intelligence Service in the capital, Damascus.

New focus on crime

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said his trial had created a much-needed new focus on the torture and inhumane treatment that countless Syrians have suffered in detention facilities. .

“This is a landmark step in the pursuit of truth, justice and reparation for the egregious human rights abuses that have occurred in Syria over the past decade,” he said. she speak.

The ruling will also help spur “all efforts to widen the network of accountability to all perpetrators of the unspeakable crimes that have made up this brutal conflict,” she added. .

The perpetrators have now been reported

A higher court in the German city of Koblenz sentenced Anwar R, 58, to life in prison for crimes including torture, murder, aggravated deprivation of liberty, rape, sexual assault and arrest hold hostages.

Germany passed the Crimes Against International Law Code in 2002, which allows the courts there to hear crimes against international law committed in other countries where both perpetrators and victims are guilty. not a German citizen.

The Code also excludes the statute of limitations for these crimes.

“This conviction has brought to the attention of State authorities – no matter where you are or how senior you may be, if you commit torture or other serious human rights violations, you will soon be held accountable, whether at home or abroad,” The UN human rights chief said.

Anwar R is the supervisor of Eyad al-Gharib, a Syrian intelligence officer who was convicted by the same court last February for aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

“This is a stark example of how national courts can and should fill accountability gaps for such crimes, through investigations and trials,” Ms. Bachelet said. fair and independent, in accordance with international human rights law and standards”. “This serves as a strong deterrent and helps prevent future atrocities.”

Towards justice

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry into Syria also welcome Thursday’s ruling, though, underscores the need to achieve justice for the victims and survivors.

Three of the Commission’s reports were read into evidence during the trial.

“Judgments like today represent much-needed progress toward achieving justice for the victims and survivors of war crimes in Syria – despite the fact that the paths to accountability The program remains restricted in Syria and at the United Nations. Security Council,” said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chairman of the Commission.

Commissioner Hanny Megally commented that the outcome would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of victims and family associations.

“If member states are to achieve justice for the Syrian people, then the meaningful participation of those Syrian voices must be supported,” he said.

United Nations Office for Human Rights, OHCHR, noting that there have been a number of other criminal and civil cases against former officials and members of non-State armed groups accused of crimes in Germany, Austria, France, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and other jurisdictions.

Several proceedings are currently being settled in national courts.

OHCHR said action at the national level is particularly important in Syria.

The country is not a party to the Rome Statute, the 1998 treaty established International Criminal Court (ICC), which hears war crimes and crimes against humanity, added “and the UN Security Council has repeatedly failed to refer the situation to the ICC Prosecutor.”



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