Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies (DCHRS)

Syria is Bound by the Laws of War

Those responsible for war crimes in Syria must be pursued and prosecuted according to international humanitarian law

August 9, 2012 by Clive Baldwin Published in: The Guardian

It is now widely acknowledged that an armed conflict is taking place across Syria  between government forces (including militias) and organised armed opposition groups. This means the laws of war (also known as international humanitarian law, or IHL) apply and bind all sides, and violations may amount to war crimes.

Mazen Darwish to be tried by secret Field Court military tribunal and ongoing detention of other defendersþ

August 9, 2012 – The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the imminent transfer of Mr. Mazen Darwish, President of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), to a secret Field Court military tribunal, as well as about his ongoing detention, together with four of his colleagues, blogger Hussein Ghrer, and Messrs. Abdelrahman Hamada, Mansour Al Omari and Hani Zetani. The Observatory was also informed of the ongoing judicial harassment of Messrs. Bassam Al-Ahmad, Joan Farso, Ayham Ghazzoul, Mss. Yara Bader, Razan Ghazzawi, Mayadah Khaleel and Sana Zetani, SCM staff members, as well as of Ms. Hanadi Zahlout, arrested as he was visiting the centre (see background information).

Amjad Kassem seen in detention

Amnesty International – URGENT ACTION – Tue, 07/08/2012

Syrian businessman Amjad Kassem, held in conditions amounting to enforced disappearance since 21 May, was seen in two State Security branches in the capital, Damascus by detainees who have since been released. The authorities have given no information to his family.

Amjad Kassem was last heard from on 21 May 2012, when he called his mother to tell her he was being taken to a branch of the Syrian State Security in Damascus by members of the security forces. Despite repeated inquiries, the authorities have told his family and lawyer nothing about his wellbeing and whereabouts.

Syria, A Path to Justice

August 6, 2012  – by Clive Baldwin and Lotte Leicht , Published in: OpenDemocracy

The International Criminal Court could play a key role in securing justice over serious crimes perpetrated in Syria’s conflict. But this in turn requires bold action from the European Union, say Lotte Leicht & Clive Baldwin.

Syrian people are oppressed and the oppressor is the UN Security Councilþ

06/08/2012 – The Syrian Organization for Human rights (Swasiya)

When Secretary-General Kofi Annan initiated his plan to engage Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on March 10, 2012, the number of registered victims of the Syrian revolution, according to the records of the Syrian Human Rights Organization, had exceeded 10,460, 751 of them children and 632 women.