Syria war crimes trials can 'reduce the accountability gap,' UN rights chief says
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Germany's recent conviction of a former Syrian regime officer marked an important first step.
The international community must step up its pursuit of truth, justice and reparations for the many victims of Syria’s brutal civil war, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Thursday.
“This past decade has seen a blatant disregard for the protection of civilians by all parties, who have committed countless violations and abuses, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Bachelet said.
“We owe it to the victims to ensure the next decade is one of accountability and remedy, with their rights and needs to be addressed so they can rebuild their lives," she said.
Syria on Monday will mark the 10-year anniversary of the beginning of its conflict. Peaceful protests against the decadeslong Assad family rule in 2011 were met with deadly force by the government, spawning a full-blown civil war that’s since killed 400,000 people, driven more than 11 million people from their homes and pushed countless more deeper into poverty.
