Damascus, Aug.12 (SANA) Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) Executive Director Fadel Abdulghany said Wednesday that the rulings issued on Tuesday against the fugitive criminal Bashar al-Assad, the criminal Atef Najib and seven other fugitives represent an important legal step toward breaking the cycle of impunity.
Abdulghany said in a statement to SANA that the rulings move accountability for serious crimes from political and moral demands into a national judicial framework.
Speaking to SANA on Wednesday, Abdulghany said the judgments against individuals convicted of crimes against the Syrian people carry particular significance for victims and their families, as they publicly acknowledge killings, torture, detention and enforced disappearance.
He added that the rulings confirm that these violations were not isolated incidents but part of a widespread and systematic pattern.
Abdulghany said the case should mark the beginning of a comprehensive national accountability process, requiring clear national legislation addressing crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and enforced disappearance.
He said such legislation should regulate command responsibility, protect victims’ rights and ensure that perpetrators do not escape accountability.
The SNHR executive director stressed that sustainable justice cannot be achieved through a single ruling, regardless of its symbolic significance, but requires uncovering the truth, providing reparations for victims, determining the fate of missing and forcibly disappeared persons, and ensuring non-recurrence.
On Tuesday, Damascus’ Fourth Criminal Court issued death sentences against the fugitive criminal Bashar al-Assad, Atef Najib and other fugitives, according to the court proceedings.
Those convicted in the case include Maher Hafez al-Assad, Fahd Jassem al-Freij, Louay Ali al-Ali, Qusai Ibrahim Mihoub, Wafiq Saleh Nasser and Talal Fares al-Esmay.
Proceedings against Mohammad Ayman Ayoush were terminated following confirmation of his death.
The rulings were issued during the ninth hearing in the case against Najib and the other defendants, who were convicted of committing crimes against the Syrian people.
N.J/R.K
