[10 December 2017] To mark International Human Rights Day, Syrian civil society activists are demanding accountability for the systematic human rights violations carried out against the Syrian people. Syria’s war is characterized by flagrant disregard for human rights – the vast majority of casualties have been civilians. As the 8th round of Geneva peace talks continues, Syria’s human rights defenders demand that accountability be an integral part of any future political settlement to the conflict.
“Assad’s strategy throughout the conflict is to use brute force in order to force the population into submission. He has brazenly flouted international law, reaching astounding levels of depravity to maintain power. The Syrian people will not and cannot accept a war criminal to remain in power. We will never give up on our rightful demands for democracy, justice and dignity”, says Mutasem al Syufi of The Day After.