“In the government-controlled areas a very complex web of amnesties, pardons and munities shields the perpetrators”, Synergy for Justice.
Hazim Alaridi – Jhr 17/11/2023
All too often, victims of sexual violence in Syria remain hidden. This concealment leads to highly inaccurate statistics, as shame, stigma, and numerous obstacles prevent victims from disclosing their experiences and accessing support services. It is crucial to address this issue and acknowledge the longstanding lack of justice for victims of sexual violence in the Syrian conflict, which has lasted for over twelve years.
Reasons behind the Absence of Justice
Stephanie Barbour, an international criminal investigator and expert analyst with over 16 years of experience, highlights multiple reasons for the prevailing impunity for perpetrators across all parts of Syria. Barbour points out “the absence of criminalization of sexual violence as war crimes against humanity and genocide in Syrian law”. She notes the complex web of amnesties, pardons, and munities that “shields the perpetrators” in government-controlled areas, resulting in a “flagrant lack of protection” as explained by Barbour.
A Step Forward to Help Survivors
Experts emphasize the urgency of documenting and preserving evidence of sexual violence crimes and exploring opportunities for justice, both domestically and internationally. In collaboration with Syrian partners Lawyers and Doctors for Human Rights (LDHR) and the Amal Healing and Advocacy Center (AHAC), Synergy for Justice has prepared a roadmap for evidence gatherers. This roadmap, entitled the “Syrian Supplement to the Second Edition of the International Protocol for the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict” was launched in Gaziantep, Turkey, on November 14, 2023. As a Co-Author of the Syria Supplement, Stephanie Barbour elucidates, “it becomes very important that we document and preserve the evidence of crimes of sexual violence; so that we can seek opportunities for justice both for the future and before foreign courts”.
Global Action Against Impunity: Strengthening Accountability for Sexual Violence Crimes
A critical aspect emphasized is the importance of pathways to accountability on national, regional, and international levels. The surge in investigations and prosecutions based on universal jurisdiction, witnessed in Germany, other European states, and beyond, represents a tangible response to impunity. These initiatives underscore a resolute commitment to holding perpetrators of sexual violence crimes accountable for
their actions.
