International Criminal Court Prosecutor visits Syria to discuss justice for civil war victims

During the trip, Khan met Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the new administration and formerly known as Mohammad al-Golani, as well as the foreign minister. The discussions centered on exploring pathways for justice in The Hague for victims of the conflict, which has claimed over half a million lives and displaced more than six million people.

Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida militant who now leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), spearheaded the offensive that toppled Bashar Assad’s regime last month. Assad, who fled to Russia in December, had been accused of running an oppressive government responsible for mass disappearances, torture, and executions during his two-decade rule.

Rights groups estimate that 150,000 people disappeared into Assad’s prison network after anti-government protests began in 2011, with many killed either through executions or harsh prison conditions. Additionally, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons attributed multiple chemical attacks on civilians to Assad’s forces. Various groups involved in the conflict have also faced accusations of human rights violations.

The ICC’s involvement remains complicated, as Syria is not a member of the court. Previous attempts to grant the ICC jurisdiction through a United Nations Security Council referral were blocked by Russia and China in 2014.

Khan’s visit follows efforts by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria, a UN body that aids in preserving evidence and prosecuting individuals for potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The group’s head, Robert Petit, has pointed out to the urgency of safeguarding evidence before it is lost.

(With inputs from AP)