Survivors of torture and families of detained Syrians protested at the ICJ on October 10, 2023, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability. The court ordered Syria to prevent torture, yet the government denies these claims. Families shared personal stories of loss, underscoring the ongoing abuses and the necessity of international scrutiny.
In a poignant demonstration outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on October 10, 2023, survivors and families of victims of Syria’s brutal regime sought answers and justice for their missing loved ones. The ICJ’s landmark ruling on November 16 mandated Syria to halt acts of torture, yet the regime has repeatedly denied such abuses. This gathering in The Hague marked not only a call for accountability but also a testament to the perseverance of those who have faced unimaginable suffering under the Syrian government.
Amid the sea of photographs held aloft by grieving family members were the faces of the lost – a husband, a father, a friend. These visuals symbolized the personal stories of anguish shared by individuals like Fadwa Mahmoud, whose husband and son disappeared in 2012, prompting an unending quest for truth. Others, like Wafa Ali Mustafa, whose father vanished after speaking out against President Assad, echoed the call for justice, emphasizing the importance of addressing the pervasive culture of impunity within Syria.
In the hearings leading to the ICJ’s decision, the Netherlands and Canada presented grave allegations against Syria, detailing systemic human rights violations including unlawful detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. As humanitarian groups have documented, tens of thousands have suffered at the hands of Syrian authorities, casting these abuses as crimes against humanity.
Ahmad Helmi, a former detainee, shared that the case represented hope for victims of torture, stating it marked the first serious international scrutiny of Syria’s cruel practices. Alongside him, lawyers like Mazen Darwish saw this as a culmination of relentless efforts by survivors and civil society to seek routes to justice in a seemingly dark tunnel of despair.
With stories of bravery and resilience, survivors such as Amneh Khoulani, who lost her brothers to the torturous hand of fate, and Samar Allouni, who has not heard from her husband since his arrest in 2015, painted a vivid picture of the indomitable human spirit. Bayan Rehan, meanwhile, lauded the ICJ case as a groundbreaking moment that legitimizes the quest for international justice, while Reem Fadel carried a picture of her brother-in-law to emphasize that many are still missing amidst the shadows of suffering.
Mouhanad Sharabati, a passionate advocate for legal reform, reminded the gathering that voices raised in solidarity—like those echoing across Europe utilizing universal jurisdiction—are key to addressing these heinous acts globally.
The ongoing crisis in Syria has led to severe human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances carried out by government forces. Since 2011, extensive documentation collected by Human Rights Watch and other organizations has outlined these atrocities, labeling them as crimes against humanity. The ICJ’s jurisdiction allows cases of such international significance to be examined, providing an avenue for accountability that is desperately needed by survivors and families seeking justice for their loved ones.
The demonstration in The Hague underscores a relentless quest for justice by families of victims of Syria’s brutal regime, highlighted by the ICJ’s recent order demanding an end to torture. Personal stories of survivors amplify the call for accountability, establishing a critical moment in the pursuit of justice that resonates beyond borders. As pressures build for compliance with international law, the voices of those wronged will continue to echo until justice prevails.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
