Public Statement Archives » Syrian Forum USA https://syrianforumusa.org/category/news/public-statement/ Rebuilding Syrian Lives, One Life at a Time Mon, 09 Dec 2024 12:58:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://syrianforumusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-277563444_172361601811908_6360336629980657263_n-32x32.jpeg Public Statement Archives » Syrian Forum USA https://syrianforumusa.org/category/news/public-statement/ 32 32 Calls for International Justice in Syria at a Side Event in The Hague https://syrianforumusa.org/calls-for-international-justice-in-syria-at-a-side-event-in-the-hague/ https://syrianforumusa.org/calls-for-international-justice-in-syria-at-a-side-event-in-the-hague/#respond Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:19:31 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=35690 The Hague, December 4, 2024 – A side event titled “Redeeming the ICMandate: Possibility for Referring the Situation in Syria Under Article XIV” was held today in the Antarctica Hall […]

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The Hague, December 4, 2024 – A side event titled “Redeeming the ICMandate: Possibility for Referring the Situation in Syria Under Article XIV” was held today in the Antarctica Hall of the World Forum in The Hague. This event took place on the sidelines of the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The event was co-organized by the Syrian Forum, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Atlantic Council (AC), and Legal Action Worldwide (LAW). Discussions focused on the critical role the ICC could play in addressing crimes committed in Syria, emphasizing the importance of referring the Syrian situation under Article 14 of the Rome Statute.

The session featured a distinguished panel of experts:
• Stephen J. Rapp: Lawyer and Former United States ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues in the Office of Global Criminal Justice
• Haydee DIJKSTAL: Barrister, Head of International Law at 33 Bedford Row Chambers and Nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council
• Nick Leddy: Head of litigation at Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), and former ICC OTP Human rights & Intl Criminal Law; prosecution Lawyer
• Jörn Oliver Eiermann: Legal Officer, Special Assistant to the Head of International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM Syria)
• Yaser Tabbara: Lawyer, Co-Founder and Chief Strategist of the Syrian Forum – United States (SF-USA)

The session was moderated by Sally Shobut, Advocacy officer at the Syrian Forum.
The discussions underscored the urgent need for decisive action by the ICC, with participants warning that continued impunity in Syria threatens not only the rights of Syrian victims but also the credibility of the ICC and the future of international justice. The critical role of the IIIM in supporting the ICC through comprehensive and reliable evidence to enable effective and transparent investigations was also highlighted.

Yaser Tabbara, Co-Founder and Head of Chief Strategist at the Syrian Forum, stated:
“Justice is the cornerstone of any sustainable resolution to the Syrian crisis, and it is also key to rebuilding trust between victims and the international legal system. Referring the Syrian situation to the ICC is a necessary step to address the heinous crimes affecting millions of Syrians, including systematic torture, killings, and enforced disappearances.

These crimes cannot go unpunished, and the ICC must serve as the venue where perpetrators are held accountable. We are at a pivotal moment. The State Parties have a historic responsibility to intervene and refer the Syrian situation. Failure to take this step would leave the door open to impunity, undermining the foundations of international justice and compounding victims’ suffering.”

He added:
“What we need today is not just legal action but also political and diplomatic cooperation to mobilize State Parties in support of this referral. The international community must demonstrate that international justice is not just a slogan but an effective tool for accountability and ending human suffering.”

Participants also discussed optimal strategies to ensure a comprehensive referral, covering not only forced displacement crimes but all major crimes committed in Syria to achieve holistic justice. They emphasized the critical role of civil society in documenting crimes and contributing to building strong legal cases that could be presented before the ICC.

The importance of this event comes amidst escalating reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and residential neighborhoods in the Idlib and Aleppo governorates of northern Syria. These incidents highlight the urgent need for international action to halt these crimes and hold those responsible accountable.

This event marked a significant step toward rallying international support for efforts to ensure accountability and justice in Syria. Participants called on State Parties to fulfill their responsibilities and work collectively to refer the Syrian situation to the ICC, reflecting a genuine commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Syrian Forum – USA (SF-USA)

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“Aleppo and Idlib: A New Beginning Toward Justice and Political Transition” https://syrianforumusa.org/aleppo-and-idlib-a-new-beginning-toward-justice-and-political-transition/ https://syrianforumusa.org/aleppo-and-idlib-a-new-beginning-toward-justice-and-political-transition/#respond Sat, 30 Nov 2024 21:55:15 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=35439 The Syrian Forum commends the resilience of the Syrian people in all their diversity, despite years of suffering, displacement, and oppression. The removal of any area from the grip of […]

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The Syrian Forum commends the resilience of the Syrian people in all their diversity, despite years of suffering, displacement, and oppression. The removal of any area from the grip of the authoritarian regime represents a significant step toward change and political transition. However, this progress also requires collective efforts to prevent chaos, safeguard public and private property, establish stability, and uphold the rule of law.

A Historical Responsibility for a Sustainable Future

The Syrian Forum emphasizes that transforming recent developments into a foundation for justice and stability requires joint efforts from Syrians and political, civil, and military institutions. Accordingly, the Syrian Forum, in collaboration with its civil society partners, is actively organizing a coordinated response to the rapid developments, particularly in Aleppo, its countryside, and Idlib.

 

Toward Effective and Sustainable Management of Aleppo

The Syrian Forum calls for the development of a comprehensive plan to manage the newly regained areas, focusing on:
1. Engaging Local Communities: Ensuring that Aleppo’s residents play an active role in managing their city.
2. Enhancing Good Governance: Providing essential services and restoring normalcy to daily life.
3. Humanitarian Response: Addressing the needs of residents in a manner that preserves their dignity and security.

Rejecting Revenge and Building Genuine Reconciliation

The Syrian Forum underscores the importance of avoiding acts of revenge or escalation, ensuring humane treatment of detainees, and upholding the principles of the Syrian revolution, which are rooted in freedom and dignity. The Forum also calls for the establishment of a national transitional justice process that includes holding major perpetrators accountable, ensuring the right for truth, compensating victims, and laying the groundwork for comprehensive national reconciliation.

Promoting Political and Civil Engagement

The Syrian Forum urges the expansion of political participation and the protection of civil society organizations’ independence, fostering national unity and enabling all national forces to contribute effectively.

Prioritizing Political Transition and Preventing Partition

The change in Aleppo marks a pivotal step toward achieving a sustainable political transition. The Forum calls on all relevant actors to intensify their efforts to establish comprehensive stability through a political solution that is the centralized, nonsectarian, inclusive and protects the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political positions, or religious and sectarian background. This process must align with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.

A Call for Collective Action

The Syrian Forum calls on both the international and local communities to shoulder their historic responsibility toward the Syrian people. This entails supporting the call for the protection of civilians, political transition, followed by a reconstruction process in a manner that honors the sacrifices of Syrians and fulfills their aspirations for freedom and justice.

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Final Statement of the Advocacy Tour Conducted by the Syrian Forum Team in New York https://syrianforumusa.org/final-statement-of-the-advocacy-tour-conducted-by-the-syrian-forum-team-in-new-york/ https://syrianforumusa.org/final-statement-of-the-advocacy-tour-conducted-by-the-syrian-forum-team-in-new-york/#respond Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:38:24 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=34482 New York – [October 22, 2024] – The Syrian Forum’s advocacy team, led by Yaser Tabara, co-founder and Chief Strategist, Danny Al-Baaj, Senior Advocacy Advisor, and Sally Shubat, Advocacy Officer […]

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New York – [October 22, 2024] – The Syrian Forum’s advocacy team, led by Yaser Tabara, co-founder and Chief Strategist, Danny Al-Baaj, Senior Advocacy Advisor, and Sally Shubat, Advocacy Officer in New York, concluded a successful tour on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The tour included meetings with several diplomatic missions to discuss the Syrian issue and the importance of keeping it on the international agenda.

During the tour, meetings were held with representatives of the diplomatic missions of Switzerland, South Korea, the United States, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Spain, Senegal, the Netherlands, and Brazil. The discussions focused on referring the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court (ICC) based on in-depth legal studies, including one prepared by the Syrian Forum. This study relies on legal precedents related to the crime of forced displacement, which is classified as a crime against humanity. The participants emphasized that these precedents provide a legal pathway to hold those responsible for crimes in Syria accountable without the need for a UN Security Council resolution, which has previously been blocked by veto.

The meetings also addressed recent developments that have strengthened the role of the ICC the possible issuance of arrest warrants for political leaders involved in other conflicts. This underscored that international law has become a critical tool for achieving justice, especially as the Security Council has been unable to address many conflicts effectively.

In a statement following the tour, Danny Al-Baaj said: “This tour was an important opportunity to continue our efforts to refer the Syrian case to the ICC. The veto that previously blocked this does not mean the path is closed. On the contrary, our reliance on legal precedents related to crimes of forced displacement and other violations gives us a new legal avenue to pursue those responsible for the crimes in Syria. In the meetings we also emphasized that political settlements must not come at the expense of justice or the rights of the victims.”

The Syrian Forum team concluded its tour by stressing the need to expedite the necessary procedures to refer the Syrian file to the ICC, emphasizing that this step would send a decisive political message that impunity for serious human rights violations will not be tolerated. The advocacy team also reaffirmed the importance of continued coordination and follow-up in the coming critical stages that will shape

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Statement Demanding the Establishment of an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal https://syrianforumusa.org/statement-demanding-the-establishment-of-an-exceptional-chemical-weapons-tribunal/ https://syrianforumusa.org/statement-demanding-the-establishment-of-an-exceptional-chemical-weapons-tribunal/#respond Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:30:26 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=27392 Syrian Forum USA11 December 2023Public Statement:  Statement Demanding the Establishment of an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal We, a group of Syrian human rights, humanitarian and civil society organisations, associations andgroups […]

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Syrian Forum USA
11 December 2023
Public Statement:  Statement Demanding the Establishment of an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal

We, a group of Syrian human rights, humanitarian and civil society organisations, associations and
groups of victims and their families, and witnesses and survivors of chemical attacks in Syria,
Stemming from:

1. Having been directly exposed to deadly weapons that cause severe and long-term
damage and suffering and dealing with their consequences on the ground and in
international fora. We have responded, documented, advocated, litigated, and
supported healing in possible cases;

2. Our belief that the continued impunity for chemical attacks undermines the absolute
prohibition of chemical weapons and the deterrent effect of accountability. This
increases the likelihood of future use, and destabilizes the international system and
trust in the international organisations established to protect international peace and security.

And based on:

3. The prohibition of the use of chemical weapons under customary international law
and international conventions;

4. The unprecedented and repeated violations of this universal norm in the Syrian
conflict;

5. The accumulation of incontrovertible evidence collected by the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) indicating the responsibility of the Syrian
authorities for nine attacks and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham for two attacks;

6. The existence of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism established
by the international community to collect and build on such evidence, in the absence
of the jurisdiction of any international criminal court that can adjudicate the matter;

7. The inability of the International Criminal Court to rule on this flagrant violation of
international law because Syria is not a signatory to the law establishing the Court,
and the attempt made by the United Nations Security Council to refer the case to the
ICC having been vetoed in 2014;

8. The ability of states within their sovereign rights to collectively hold to account
perpetrators, and the existence of relevant international conventions that support
and encourage this;

9. The rigor of international resolutions from the United Nations Security Council and
the United Nations General Assembly in the context of holding all individuals, entities
and governments accountable for the use of chemical weapons, especially United
Nations Security Council resolutions 2118, 2209, 2235, 2314, 2319 and General
Assembly resolutions 68/182 (2013), 70/41 (2015), 71/69 (2016), 72/43 (2017),
182/73 (2018), 40/74 (2019), 169/74 (2019), 228/76 (2021).

Having since the first use of chemical weapons in Syria, as groups collectively and individually, taken
the following steps:

10. Advocated towards holding all individuals or parties accountable for the use of
chemical weapons;

11. Despite the legal, administrative and psychological difficulties experienced by the
victims of chemical attacks, put intensive efforts into domestic courts using the
principle of universal jurisdiction or other local laws that support the fight against
impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity, in countries hosting Syrian
refugees, including those who have survived chemical attacks, one of which led to the
issuance of arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher
and two other senior officers before the French courts, which is an historical judicial
precedent that deserves praise for the efforts and courage of victims and witnesses;

12. Initiated in-depth studies and discussions on what can be done to address the
impunity gap at the international level, and advanced legal solutions that seek to
overcome this situation;

13. Drafted a proposal for the establishment of an international tribunal, with the aim of
realising criminal accountability for established cases of chemical weapons use, which
are not able to be tried by the ICC – a circumstance which applies to the Syrian case;

14. Conducted intensive consultations at the level of legal experts, government
representatives at technical and political levels, and with relevant international
institutions on this proposal to ensure supportive legal and policy grounds.

Based on the above, we come together on 30 November, the International Day of Remembrance of
all Victims of Chemical Warfare:

To call on states to establish an Exceptional Chemical Weapons Tribunal for internationally
prosecuting the use of chemical weapons where there is no recourse to existing judicial criminal
fora, as in Syria.

For details visit: www.cwtribunal.org

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Cross-Border Humanitarian Assistance in Syria and the Syrian Regime’s Consent https://syrianforumusa.org/cross-border-humanitarian-assistance-in-syria-and-the-syrian-regimes-consent/ https://syrianforumusa.org/cross-border-humanitarian-assistance-in-syria-and-the-syrian-regimes-consent/#respond Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:38:55 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=26309 Public Statement: Cross-Border Humanitarian Assistance in Syria and the Syrian Regime’s Consent Following the Security Council’s failure to renew its mandate for cross-border humanitarian assistance from Türkiye to northwest Syria, […]

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Public Statement: Cross-Border Humanitarian Assistance in Syria and the Syrian Regime’s Consent

Following the Security Council’s failure to renew its mandate for cross-border humanitarian assistance from Türkiye to northwest Syria, the Syrian Regime has granted consent for the UN to provide such assistance for six months. 

While phrased by the Regime as a ‘sovereign decision,’ its consent to humanitarian assistance operations in Syria was unnecessary for third-party remote programming operations in the Syrian conflict, which are not contrary to Syrian sovereignty or territorial integrity. Even if consent was needed, in the Syrian situation, it could have been given by those in territorial control of northwest Syria. 

Nonetheless, where consent is needed, the duties not to arbitrarily deny offers of principled humanitarian assistance, and to facilitate unimpeded access for aid operations, are basic obligations under international humanitarian law. Against the assumption in 2014 that its consent was needed, the Syrian Regime’s failure to honor these obligations was the reason for the initial introduction of the Security Council mandate. 

The Syrian Forum remains deeply concerned that the Regime’s consent supposedly remains contingent upon the condition not to engage with parties deemed to be ‘terrorist’ actors in northwest Syria. The Syrian Forum recalls that any restrictions on humanitarian access must comply with necessity, proportionality, legality, and non-discrimination principles. Any consent must not impose unnecessary restrictions upon the ability of humanitarian actors to engage and negotiate independently and impartially with all relevant actors needed to reach those most vulnerable in northwest Syria. 

Considering the uncertainty surrounding the future of cross-border aid in Syria, the Syrian Forum urges the international community to avoid further blackmail by enforcing its legal rights in relation to third-party humanitarian assistance operations in Syria. Additionally, the Syrian Forum calls upon UN member states to refer the entire issue concerning the necessity of a Security Council resolution to provide humanitarian aid to those in need to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to achieve legal clarity and guidance on the obligations of states in ensuring the provision of humanitarian assistance in the absence of a Security Council mandate. This step would promote a comprehensive and principled approach to meeting the urgent needs of the affected population while addressing the legal uncertainties surrounding cross-border aid in Syria.

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Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Unrestricted Cross-Border Humanitarian Aid in Syria https://syrianforumusa.org/public-statement-urgent-action-needed-to-ensure-unrestricted-cross-border-humanitarian-aid-in-syria/ https://syrianforumusa.org/public-statement-urgent-action-needed-to-ensure-unrestricted-cross-border-humanitarian-aid-in-syria/#respond Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:52:20 +0000 https://syrianforumusa.org/?p=26259 Syrian Forum USA 11 July 2023 Public Statement: Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Unrestricted Cross-Border Humanitarian Aid in Syria The Syrian Forum deeply regrets the United Nations Security Council’s failure […]

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Syrian Forum USA
11 July 2023
Public Statement: Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Unrestricted Cross-Border
Humanitarian Aid in Syria

The Syrian Forum deeply regrets the United Nations Security Council’s failure to reauthorize
cross-border aid to Syria. We strongly condemn the recent Russian veto that obstructed the
adoption of a Security Council resolution aimed at facilitating the delivery of crucial
humanitarian assistance to areas devastated by more than 12 years of conflict and recent
earthquakes. This veto undermines the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Syria and
exacerbates the suffering of millions of vulnerable people.


Russia’s political maneuvering continues to hold the Security Council hostage, disregarding
the purely humanitarian nature of the crisis in Syria. Humanitarian aid should not be subject
to political games. Yet, the Russian Federation still prioritized politics over the lives of Syrians
who depend on aid for survival. At the same time, the Syrian Regime keeps its long-standing
pattern of using humanitarian aid as a pressure tactic against civilians in areas outside its
control. This manipulation of aid and hindering its delivery across the lines only adds to the
suffering of the Syrian people. It is evident that the Regime views humanitarian assistance as
a bargaining chip to regain international recognition rather than prioritizing the well-being and
survival of its own citizens. Despite the ongoing consent for the crossings at Bab al-Salemeh
and Al-Rai, it is crucial to acknowledge their limitations in effectively addressing the immense
humanitarian needs in northwest Syria. The assistance provided through the Bab al-Hawa
crossing by the United Nations has played a critical role in delivering substantial aid to the
affected population. However, it is a grave concern that the Syrian Regime retains the power
to arbitrarily withdraw its consent at any given time, potentially leaving millions without the
essential humanitarian support they urgently require.


Therefore, the Syrian Forum calls upon the international community to unite in depoliticizing
humanitarian aid. This requires the collective efforts of all nations to uphold the principles of
humanity and alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians affected by conflicts. Prominent legal
experts and jurists have affirmed that a Security Council mandate is not required to deliver aid
to conflict areas. These opinions were part of a comprehensive legal study sponsored by the
Syrian Forum and presented to several capitals and permanent delegations at the United
Nations. It is time to depoliticize and neutralize humanitarian aid, not just in Syria, but as a
universal principle enforced and respected by all UN member states, including the Security
Council’s permanent members. We strongly urge states to refer this matter to the International
Court of Justice (ICJ) for an advisory opinion on the necessity of a Security Council mandate
regarding humanitarian aid. It is crucial to establish a clear legal framework that ensures the
unhindered delivery of life-saving assistance to those in need, regardless of political
considerations.


The Syrian Forum reiterates the urgent need for unrestricted cross-border humanitarian aid in
Syria. We implore the international community to take immediate action to address this
pressing issue and prevent further suffering. Together, let us work towards a future where
humanitarian aid is truly depoliticized, neutral, and effectively delivered to those most need it.

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