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
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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
Update: SJAC Resume Programs Suspended by U.S. Aid Freeze
On January 24th, 2025, SJAC announced that a stop-work order issued by the Department of State had suspended many of our programs in Syria and around the world. We are
Revenge Killings Targeting Assad Regime Affiliates (December 2024 - May 2025)
Since the collapse of the Assad government in early December, SJAC has been tracking the violence erupting across Syria to identify trends emerging in targeted victims. After analyzing media reports
The Syrian Government Must Investigate the Targeting of Alawite Civilians in Homs
Multiple times per week since early 2025, SJAC has received reports about Syrians, both men and women, being killed by “unknown gunmen” or found dead bearing gunshot wounds. Based upon
A Step towards Justice: ten years later
With the departure of Assad, comprehensive justice for Syrians finally appeared to be on the horizon. Renewed clashes in the first weeks of March only serve to underline the importance