The interim order is intended to protect potential victims while the case accusing Syria of violating the torture convention progresses through the International Court of Justice, a process that is likely to take years.
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The UN’s top court on Thursday ordered the Syrian government to “take all measures within its powers” to stop torture, in a case in which the Netherlands and Canada accused Damascus of a years-long campaign to torture its citizens. is charged.
The interim order is intended to protect potential victims while the case accusing Syria of violating the torture convention progresses through the International Court of Justice, a process that is likely to take years.
Court President John E. Donoghue said the panel is ordering Damascus to “take all measures within its power to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The court also called on Syria to ensure that its officials, as well as any organization or individual subject to its control, direction or influence, do not commit torture or other acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. ,
The court ordered Damascus to “take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of any evidence relating to allegations of acts within the scope of the Convention against Torture,” O’Donoghue said.
Canada and the Netherlands last month requested the court to order a ban on torture. Syria boycotted the hearing in October and it is unclear how it will respond to the world court’s orders.
From peaceful protests to devastating civil war
The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 with peaceful protests against the Assad government, but soon escalated into full-scale civil war following a brutal government crackdown on protesters. The atmosphere against rebel groups changed in Assad’s favor in 2015, when Russia provided major military aid to Syria as well as Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
At last month’s hearing, Canadian government lawyer Teresa Crockett urged the court to impose a binding order on Syria, warning that: “If left unchecked, Syria will continue to violate the international convention banning torture.” “.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the verdict.
“While systematic and widespread torture is still a reality in Syria, the implementation of this decision will be a matter of life or death for many Syrians in detention centers across Syria,” Balkis Jarrah, the rights group’s associate international justice director, said in a statement. ” ,
Jarrah called on other governments around the world to say, “After more than a decade of torture by Syrian authorities, the World Court’s order could be crucial in breaking the cycle of abuse and impunity that the world has watched with horror.” Have seen since.” “Ensure that the court order is enforced to prevent future abuse and bring accountability.”
Court orders are legally binding but are not always followed by the countries involved in the proceedings. Last year, judges issued a similar order in another case that called on Moscow to cease hostilities in Ukraine.
The United Nations court on Thursday ordered French judicial authorities to issue international arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother and two army generals for alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Came after a day. 2013.
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