Ten years after the beginning of the uprising and conflict in Syria, the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament calls for an ambitious EU Action Plan to fight impunity in Syria.
Last week's landmark Koblenz trial, which saw an Assad security officer sentenced to four years and a half in prison for complicity in crimes against humanity, made it clear that tougher measures are needed to ensure war criminals are held accountable for crimes committed in Syria.
Following a public debate with Syrian voices, such as Koblenz lawyer Anwar Al Bunni, organised by Renew Europe MEPs Nathalie Loiseau and Barry Andrews, we call on the European Commission to present an EU Action Plan on Impunity, with a specific chapter on Syria and to launch a designated European fund for victims of crimes against humanity in Syria.
Member States should improve coordination of judicial, police and immigration resources through the development of ‘pooled jurisdictions’ and should be encouraged to automatically share, at EU level, information on war criminal suspects under Article 1F of the Geneva Convention.
Renew Europe MEP, Nathalie Loiseau (Renaissance Delegation, France), Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, said:
“There is no peace without justice. While the ICC route remains difficult to take, the EU has to pursue and enhance its efforts in order to fight impunity, especially in Syria. Initiatives must be combined at the international, EU and national level. We owe it to honour the victims as well as to build the future.”
Renew Europe MEP, Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil Party, Ireland), added:
“The European Parliament has a duty to keep the fight against impunity in Syria at the top of the EU’s agenda, particularly as we approach the tragic 10 year anniversary of the beginning of the conflict.
An EU Action Plan on impunity would send a strong signal that we have not forgotten about the people of Syria and their quest for justice.”
Watch the webinar here.
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Goleanu Lucian
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