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12 May 2026: A coalition of 27 Syrian civil society organisations and victims’ groups has released a new report outlining a proposed framework for criminal accountability in Syria, at a time when trials are beginning to take place in Damascus.
The report, Pathways to Criminal Accountability in Syria, brings together the perspectives of Syrian legal experts, victims’ and survivors’ groups, and civil society actors following an eight-month consultative process.
It sets out a practical framework for pursuing accountability that is credible, inclusive, and aligned with international standards, including key considerations related to legal characterisation of crimes, procedural safeguards, and meaningful victim participation.
The release comes at a critical moment, as initial steps towards criminal accountability are being taken inside Syria. While these developments are welcomed as a long-awaited shift after years of impunity, Syrian civil society organisations have expressed concerns regarding how these processes should be conducted, including their legal framing and safeguards.
The report outlines key elements for credible accountability processes, including:
- characterisation of crimes in alignment with international law
- robust procedural safeguards in accordance with fair trial standards
- meaningful victim participation
- practical recommendations for national and international actors
“The report reflects a shared effort by Syrian civil society and victims’ groups to articulate what credible accountability should look like at this stage,” said representatives of the participating Syrian civil society and victims’ organisations. “At a time when processes are beginning to take shape, it is critical that they are grounded in principles that ensure justice for victims and long-term legitimacy.”
The report is intended to support more informed engagement by international actors, including the United Nations, the European Union, and key states, as they engage with these developments.
