Syria

Justice for Syria

Justice for Syria

In 2011, hundreds of thousands of Syrians took to the streets to demand a better life. In response, Syria's authorities launched a mass crackdown leading to tens of thousands being detained. We gathered horrific accounts of detainees being disappeared to secret locations to be tortured and in many cases, executed.

But the tide might be turning. We have been working with Syrian human rights activists, most of whom are torture survivors themselves, to help bring Syria’s war criminals and torturers to justice.

From Darkness to Light - Hope for Syria's Disappeared

Ahmad Helmi, human rights defender, survivor & manager of Ta'afi, writes on the historic win at the United Nations to find the 100'000+ missing Syrians since 2011 for International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2023

Justice is possible

Together we have been working on gathering evidence that will be used to indict war criminals in court.

How we're helping

We will continue to lobby governments and other parties to ensure national, international and Syrian-led work on justice and accountability is effectively supported, funded and publicised.

On the Trauma of Advocacy

'We made a promise not to forget those who are still inside. We made a promise to set them free. This information we struggle to convey is crucial in assisting human rights organisations in documenting atrocities and abuses.' Syrian Activist, Mansour Omari on the traumas of testifying.

Syria 10 Years On - Assad’s Pyrrhic Victory

While Assad's regime and its backers continue to eviscerate the country, Syria’s human rights community is not just petitioning and protesting against atrocities; they’re also hunting down torturers and war criminals

Friends & Families of Syria’s Disappeared Develop a Roadmap for Justice

Friends & families of Syria’s disappeared develop a roadmap for justice. Amnesty's Kristyan Benedict spoke with one of its main architects, and longtime Amnesty partner, Ahmad Helmi who runs the Ta’afi initiative.

Conviction of former Syrian official in Germany for crimes against humanity 'historic victory for justice'

History was made when a German court in Koblenz delivered the first guilty verdict for crimes under international law committed by a government official in Syria.

Justice for Syria

Syrian Torture Trial in Koblenz, Germany - Part 1

Mansour Omari, a Syrian human rights defender, gives a personal account of the first day of a historic Syrian torture trial in Koblenz, Germany.

Justice for Syria

Syrian Torture Trial in Koblenz, Germany - Part 2

Part 2 of Mansour Omari's deeply personal account of the Syria torture trial in Koblenz, Germany.

Justice for Syria

Syrian Torture Trial in Koblenz, Germany - Part 3

Part 3 of Mansour Omari's deeply personal account of the Syria torture trial in Koblenz, Germany.

Mansour's fight for justice

'Now, the tables are turned. He is wanted for crimes against humanity. It was a moment I’d waited for a very long time.'
Read about Mansour's fight to bring Syria's war criminals to justice.