Syrian Justice Ministry and UN Mechanism Discuss Transitional Justice
Syrian Minister of Justice, Mazhar al-Wais, met with Robert Petit, Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the judicial sector and supporting the broader framework of transitional justice within Syria.
During the meeting, Minister al-Wais emphasized the Syrian government’s commitment to supporting international efforts that align with national leadership and ownership. He stated that the primary objective of this process is to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people, uphold the rule of law, and effectively combat impunity. According to the Minister, such initiatives are vital for the long-term restoration of stability and peace across the country and the wider region.
The discussion also highlighted the significance of the evidence and information gathered through ongoing investigations in Syria. Minister al-Wais underscored the necessity of leveraging this data to strengthen legal cases and ensure justice for victims. He expressed a desire to continue building capacity and exchanging expertise with the international mechanism, aiming to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the Syrian judicial system.
For his part, Robert Petit acknowledged the progress made regarding transitional justice in Syria. He noted that the ongoing judicial developments and steps taken to build cases related to violations and crimes are positive indicators of a strengthening accountability process. Petit reaffirmed the interest of the mechanism in deepening its collaboration with Syrian authorities, with a focus on facilitating further steps toward accountability, ensuring that victims receive justice, and reinforcing the principle of the rule of law.
The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2016. Its mandate is to collect, consolidate, preserve, and analyze evidence of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in Syria since March 2011. The mechanism is designed to prepare files that can facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings in accordance with international law standards, providing essential support to national, regional, and international courts that have the jurisdiction to hear such cases.
The meeting marks an ongoing dialogue regarding the intersection of domestic judicial procedures and international efforts. Both sides expressed a mutual interest in sustaining this partnership to ensure that the pursuit of justice remains a central pillar of the efforts to address the impact of the conflict on the Syrian population.
