As the dust settles after the fall of the Assad regime, a significant chapter is closing in the tragic narrative of the Syrian conflict. The civil war, which erupted in 2011 following the brutal crackdown on peaceful student protests in Daraa, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. Yet, with the regime’s collapse, we stand at a pivotal moment that demands not just reflection, but resolute action toward justice for the countless victims of this protracted horror.
The Assad regime, led by Bashar al-Assad and buoyed by a sordid history of violence, has perpetrated egregious human rights violations and war crimes. From the moment that regime forces unleashed deadly violence on unarmed students in Daraa in March 2011, they set in motion a campaign of terror that targeted not only dissent but the very fabric of Syrian society.
The scope and systematic nature of the atrocities are documented in the landmark Caesar Report, which provides irrefutable evidence of widespread torture, extrajudicial killings, and crimes against humanity carried out under the regime’s command.
As the international community reflects on the aftermath of the Assad regime, it is imperative to prioritize accountability. Among other organizations, the Syrian Accountability Project, based at Syracuse University College of Law, has spearheaded this critical charge since March 2011 by compiling a comprehensive crimes database matrix, a conflict map, and a major incident index. This foundational work is instrumental in ensuring that the evidence of atrocities does not fade into obscurity. It has shared its data with international organizations and governmental agencies. It is essential for both documenting history and providing a legal basis for future prosecutions.
Yet memorializing these horrors is merely the first step. The challenge lies in establishing a credible mechanism for accountability that addresses the grievances of the Syrian people and upholds the principles of justice. We must advocate for a regional justice mechanism empowered to bring Syrian leaders, and those who supported them, to trial for their actions.
The proposed solution is for a special court—one led by a blend of experienced international and Arab prosecutors and judges—that will prosecute these crimes in accordance with both domestic and international law. Drawing inspiration from the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, this model underscores the principle of “Arabs judging Arabs” and respects the regional context while harnessing international legal expertise. This court would serve not only as a tool for justice but also as a testament to the commitment of the Arab world to uphold human rights and human dignity, emphasizing that accountability is possible when nations take responsibility for their own histories.
To achieve this vision, the international community must stand firm in its support, providing the necessary resources, legal frameworks, and political backing. The process must begin with the identification and mobilization of the necessary legal infrastructure and ensure that Syrians can play a central role in their justice process.
It is crucial to remember that accountability is not just about punishing the perpetrators. It is also about healing; it is a collective step toward reconciliation and rebuilding a torn society. The victims of Assad’s brutality deserve recognition, and the voices of survivors must be woven into the fabric of our pursuit for justice.
With the fall of the Assad regime, let us seize this moment to commit to a pathway toward lasting accountability. The people of Syria have suffered too long without justice; it is time to ensure that their demands for truth and reparation do not go unanswered. We owe it to the victims of this dark chapter in human history to pursue justice with the same tenacity that they displayed in their fight for freedom. By establishing a credible mechanism for accountability, we can pave the way for a more just and peaceful future for Syria and its people — a legacy that honors those who have paid the highest price for their freedom. Let us not lose this moment in history.
David M. Crane is the founder of the Global Accountability Network and its Syrian Accountability Project. He is also a co-author of the Caesar Report and served as the Founding Chief Prosecutor of the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone.
