Gross violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Laws have been committed in Syria. After a full cessation of violence, launching transitional justice processes will signal to the victims that those responsible for committing these crimes will be brought to reparation and that the time of impunity is over. This book discusses the available options of justice and how accountability will be achieved through international systems and a new hybrid court system.
Radwan Ziadeh is a senior fellow at the Arab Center, Washington D.C.
Chapter One: Transition, Justice and Accountability in Syria Radwan Ziadeh Chapter Two: Demographic Engineering in Syria Radwan Ziadeh Chapter Three: Forced Evacuations In the Syrian Context David M. Crane Chapter Four: Stories from the Hill: Sarajevo and Daraya Janine di Giovanni with Sophia Slater Chapter Five: Syria's Green Buses, "Evacuation Deals," and Forced Displacement Mai El-Sadany Chapter Six: The False Allure of Syrian 'Local Ceasefires' Mohammed Alaa Ghanem Chapter Seven: The Promises and Pitfalls of Data Analysis for Accountability and Justice Megan Price and Anita Gohdes
Accountability in Syria explores crimes against humanity committed during the Syria civil war and examines the ways Syrians might seek justice. These include recourse through the international system and a proposed new "hybrid court system." The volume contains important testimony that deserves to be read, with contributions from senior Syrian opponents to the Assad regime as well as international journalists and researchers, providing a comparative perspective. * Middle East Quarterly * In Accountability in Syria Radwan Ziadeh and others have eloquently defined the many crimes against humanity that have occurred during Syria's conflict. In the words of one contributor, "The international community has abandoned Syrians and left them to die at the hands of their government." Ziadeh and his co-authors are giving that community a chance to regroup and breathe new life into the words "Never Again." The authors have admirably illuminated the challenges of achieving accountability and justice given the imperfect Syrian and international tools at hand. Yet accountability is essential for peace in Syria and stability beyond. This is an important book, and not just for Syrians. -- Frederic C. Hof, Diplomat-in-Residence, Bard College The Syrian conflict remains a never-ending catastrophe. This book is an important contribution to our knowledge about what has happened and what should be done about it. It paints a critical picture, and deepens our understanding, of the conflict and its effects. It is well researched with a number of knowledgeable Syrians, as well as some well-known international experts, contributing important and interesting chapters. This book is a must read for everyone interested in what has occurred in Syria, as well as those concerned with human rights, transitional justice, and other topics connected to societies in conflict. -- Jeremy Sarkin, NOVA University
