In a bold call for accountability, UN special rapporteur Alice Jill Edwards has declared that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must answer for the atrocities committed during his regime. Edwards, an Australian lawyer and UN expert on torture, insists the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the ideal stage for Assad’s trial, emphasizing years of documented torture and repression under his rule.
“The Assad regime weaponized torture to instill fear, suppress dissent, and tighten its grip on power,” Edwards told Anadolu Agency. She highlighted that these crimes align with extensive evidence gathered since 2011 by her office and others, calling on Syria’s transitional leadership to ratify the ICC statute and support justice for victims.
Edwards also proposed a hybrid tribunal for Syria, blending national and international judicial elements, as seen in Sierra Leone and Cambodia. This approach, she explained, could bolster Syria’s legal framework, ensuring fair trials while fostering local capacity through training and oversight.
While Assad’s regime is deemed responsible for the majority of crimes, Edwards underscored the importance of investigating abuses committed by all parties involved. “Accountability must extend across the board to ensure justice for every victim,” she said.
As Syria enters a new chapter following the dramatic fall of Damascus to opposition forces on December 8, Edwards sees this as a turning point. She urged the international community to support Syria’s transition to democracy, cautiously optimistic about a brighter future.
“We must tread carefully to build a vibrant, inclusive Syria that upholds human rights,” Edwards concluded.
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