German authorities issue historical arrest warrant against high level official of Assad’s government
Great news! Arrest warrant ag #JamilHassan is based i.a. on criminal complaints filed by 24 #Syrian #Torture survivors, @anwaralbounni @SyrianCenter @mazenadarwish3 & @ECCHRBerlin Learn more about the complaints in #Germany https://t.co/Rdc9DEXRaX #Justice4Syria #Assad https://t.co/HtJaOJV3tF
— ECCHR (@ECCHRBerlin) 8. Juni 2018
Milestone in the fight against impunity: German authorities issue historical arrest warrant against high level official of Assad’s government
Arrest warrant against Jamil Hassan is a milestone for all affected by Assad’s torture system
Yesterday, it was announced that Germany’s BGH – federal court of justice has issued an arrest warrant for Jamil Hassan, head of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service, for torture. Such a legal measure means a milestone towards justice and accountability for all those affected by Assad’s torture system, particularly the 24 Syrian torture survivors and activists whose statements contributed to the arrest warrant. Since March 2017, they have, together with the lawyers Anwar al-Bunni (Syrian Center for Legal Research and Studies), Mazen Darwish (Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression) and ECCHR, filed four criminal complaints in Germany based on the principle of universal jurisdiction against high-ranking officials of Assad’s government.
The criminal complaints name, next to Jamil Hassan, other 26 high-level officials of the Syrian Intelligence Services and the Syrian Military. The allegations include: Torture as crimes against humanity and war crimes. Hassan’s name was first included in a criminal complaint filed in September 2017 by activists of the group supporting the work of „Caesar“, a former employee of the Syrian military police. Additionally, Hassan was determined to be one of the prime suspects in a criminal complaint addressing systematic torture committed in detention facilities of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence Service, the intelligence agency exclusively under his control and supervision. Existing documents allowed to conclude that he either ordered or allowed for torture as a war crime and crime against humanity to happen.
The arrest warrant is historical – an important and encouraging sign to those who fight impunity and torture worldwide.
By issuing such an arrest warrant, Germany’s BGH – federal court of justice emphasizes: Torture is absolutely prohibited. Those high-level officials responsible for torture in Syria belong before a court. Germany signalizes its readiness to engage in investigations and prosecutions of grave human rights violations. Judicial authorities in other states ought to follow such a step by the German judiciary. As long as no international tribunal or court is prosecuting torture in Syria, third countries have to use the principle of universal jurisdiction .
For more information see ecchr.eu/en/topic/syria.
#BREAKING Over 920,000 displaced in Syria in 2018, highest level since start of conflict: UN
— AFP news agency (@AFP) 11. Juni 2018
And, #Germany’s federal prosecutor has issued an int’l arrest warrant for Jamil Hassan, head of Syria’s Air Force Intelligence, for crimes against humanity.
A very important development for justice for atrocity crimes in #Syria. https://t.co/53YpO1b2JS https://t.co/2z2NmqzUfq
— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) 8. Juni 2018
Incredible news from Germany as first arrest warrant issued for #SyriaWarCrimes. Great work by all concerned @ECCHRBerlin @anwaralbounni #MazenDarwish #Caesar https://t.co/a6Xg2LyfNc
— Toby Cadman (@tobycadman) 8. Juni 2018
Very significant, acc to @SPIEGEL_English, German Federal Prosecutor has issued arrest warrant for head of #Syria’s Airforce Intelligence. This follows filing of a criminal complaint by @ECCHRBerlin, Mazen Darwish @anwaralbounni & Syrian torture survivors https://t.co/h7pbihu2iR
— Sara Afshar (@SaraAfshar) 8. Juni 2018
#Justice4Syria: Today we celebrate the arrest warrant ag #JamilHassan, tomorrow we will continue 2 fight #impunity 4 #torture! Please support us with your donation. https://t.co/s4ju5ON2Qe #Syria #Assad #UJ #ICL
— ECCHR (@ECCHRBerlin) 8. Juni 2018
A hugely important development for justice for #Syria atrocities
And, a testimony to the tenacity of Syrian lawyers & brave victims working w the brilliant @ECCHRBerlin team
Proud to serve as chairwoman of their council
Pls donate & support the work: https://t.co/pysw6ElzUV … https://t.co/UdtrSRIlku
— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) 8. Juni 2018
Check out reactions by #Syrian #torture survivors, activists and lawyers to the arrest warrant ag #JamilHassan https://t.co/cUAM3GI2jz https://t.co/xQpemutaGx
— ECCHR (@ECCHRBerlin) 8. Juni 2018
#WeeklyEditorial Asylum in Europe: Where do we go now?
“ ECRE believes not only that the Dublin system is unfair and needs reform but also that it is one of the reasons why a manageable situation of increased arrivals turned into a crisis.“ via #ECREWeekly https://t.co/qD9ZlTJMkV pic.twitter.com/hA6QJY2Yrz
— ECRE (@ecre) 8. Juni 2018
AMNESTY: #Russia and #Syria must immediately end direct attacks on civilians and indiscriminate attacks. There must be an independent investigation into #Idlib air strike and those responsible for war crimes in Syria must be brought to justice https://t.co/lcUG3C0CpI
— Amnesty Syria (@AmnestySyria) 8. Juni 2018
#Torture survivor Munem Hilaneh on arrest warrant ag #JamilHassan: „The silence of the world during 7 yrs of ongoing crimes in #Syria made me doubt if #justice still exists. What happened today gives hope to me and to thousands of Syrians https://t.co/s4ju5ON2Qe #Justice4Syria
— ECCHR (@ECCHRBerlin) 8. Juni 2018
This is a huge success for Syrian torture survivors and lawyers, and for my wonderful @ECCHRBerlin colleagues! #Germany’s Federal Prosecutor issues int’l arrest warrant for one of the #Syria regime’s top intelligence officials. https://t.co/53YpO1b2JS
— Lotte Leicht (@LotteLeicht1) 8. Juni 2018
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