NEW YORK, Aug. 1, 2011—As the international community considers its response to the surging violence in Syria, those responsible for gross human rights violations in the country should be held to account, said the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) today.
“The first step for accountability is investigation. The lack of action on the part of international actors, including the Security Council and the Arab League makes the cause of human rights and justice look selective and opportunistic,” said Habib Nassar, director of ICTJ's Middle East and North Africa Program.
ICTJ recommends the UN Security Council appoint a high-level commission of inquiry acting under Chapter VII powers to investigate allegations of serious crimes and with an explicit mandate to recommend whether the council should refer the matter to the International Criminal Court. "Those responsible for planning, ordering, and carrying out heinous crimes must be held accountable,” said Nassar. “Security Council members preventing action on Syria will be liable for giving the regime a blank check to commit mass atrocities."
Yesterday was one of the bloodiest days since Syria’s popular uprising began in mid-March this year, with human rights organizations reporting that a tank-backed assault killed more than 140 civilians in the central city of Hama. Syrian security forces have reportedly tortured, arrested, and killed protesters who demanded reforms and called on President Bashar al-Assad to step down. The security forces and army have heavily targeted the cities of Hama, Homs, Deir Zor, and various suburbs around Damascus. Reports indicate Syrian security forces may have committed crimes against humanity.
Hama carries a painful history of impunity, dating to a 1982 massacre—in which state security forces reportedly killed 20,000 people—that has not yet been investigated. The international community must learn from this grave mistake, and take urgent steps to avoid its repetition.
"After failing the people of Hama nearly 30 years ago, the international community must take action to give Syria's citizens—and the broader Arab public—reason to believe in the possibility of justice," said Nassar. “It is difficult for people in the region to understand why the international community, which acted quickly to refer Libya to the International Criminal Court, has remained impotent in the face of mass crimes being committed in Syria.”
About ICTJ
The International Center for Transitional Justice works to redress and prevent the most severe violations of human rights by confronting legacies of mass abuse. ICTJ seeks holistic solutions to promote accountability and create just and peaceful societies. For more information, visit www.ictj.org.
Contact
Habib Nassar (New York) Director, Middle East and North Africa Program International Center for Transitional Justice Phone +1 917 637 3839 hnassar@ictj.org
Refik Hodzic (New York)
Director of Communications
International Center for Transitional Justice
Phone +1 917 975 2305
rhodzic@ictj.org
April 29, 2011, the 'Day of Rage' called by activists to pile pressure of President Bashar al-Assad as his regime pressed a violent crackdown on dissent. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
