Articles
French Court May Set Global Precedent in Assad Immunity Case
Until now, so-called ‘personal immunity’ prevents any head of a state from being prosecuted by courts of a foreign country. However, this long-standing protection is now being tested in France.
SJAC’s Trial Monitors Reflect on the Alaa M. Verdict
On June 16, 2025, in a groundbreaking verdict, Syrian doctor Alaa M. was convicted of crimes against humanity for torturing his patients. This landmark decision marks the first criminal trial
Israel’s Creeping Annexation of the Golan Heights
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria has continued to face a range of destabilizing actors, including Israel. In addition to the numerous airstrikes Israel has carried
Frankfurt Court Sentences Syrian Doctor Alaa M. to Life Imprisonment
Several Counts of Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes, and Murder with a Finding of Particular Gravity Washington, DC: 06/17/2025 “Alaa M., a 40-year-old Syrian doctor, was sentenced to
German Court Ruling Must Not Risk Premature Assessments of Syria or Jumpstart Returns
For over six months, several EU member states have suspended the processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals, rightly citing shifting and uncertain conditions on the ground as a barrier
Child Recruitment Practices Continue in Syria Before and After the Fall of Assad
In April 2024, the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) published “She is Still a Child,” a report based on interviews with 22 families that documented 23 cases of child
A First Step Towards Transitional Justice in Syria
On May 17, President Al-Sharaa signed Decree No. 20 regarding the formation of a National Commission for Transitional Justice (NCTJ). The Decree provides that the NCTJ will be responsible for
