Syrian Tort Law in European Courts: Achieving Damages for Victims of Crimes Committed in Syria

Throughout the Syrian conflict, victims of international crimes committed in Syria have sought justice through trials in Europe and other countries under the principle of Universal Jurisdiction. A major obstacle in these trials is the awarding of damages to victims in compensation for the crimes committed against them.

In countries that practice civil law, such as the Netherlands, damages are determined based on the domestic laws where the crime took place. The lack of understanding of Syrian tort law (i.e. civil law and damage awards) in Europe means that judges have denied or deferred requests for damages in cases of international crimes. This leaves victims without compensation even when individuals accused of international crimes are found guilty.

SJAC sought to remedy this problem by producing a reliable summary of Syrian tort law which could be applied in European courts. SJAC's report on Syrian tort law has so far provided the basis for damages awarded to victims in two cases in the Netherlands.

The report, which is available in English and Arabic, gives plaintiffs and their legal representatives the resources they need to request damages. SJAC hopes that this report will allow practitioners to obtain compensation from perpetrators of international crimes and to achieve more comprehensive justice.

___________________________

For more information or to provide feedback, please contact SJAC at [email protected] and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to SJAC’s newsletter for updates on our work