“Every day counts”: UN court accuses Syria of torture

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The government under President Bashar al-Assad has been systematically violating the UN Convention against Torture for at least twelve years, the legal representatives of both states said before the United Nations highest court on Tuesday in The Hague. “Large numbers of Syrian civilians were tortured, murdered, kidnapped, attacked with poison gas or lost everything as they fled for their lives.” The two countries demand immediate court action against Syria.

Syrian representatives did not appear at the hearing. Court President Joan Donoghue regretted his absence. She pointed out that the hearing had been postponed for three months at Syria’s request in the summer. Syrians gathered in front of the courthouse demanding justice for the victims.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed by torture in secret detention centers, says René Lefeber, legal representative for the Netherlands. And the practices continued unhindered. ‘Every day counts. People who are in prison now cannot wait any longer.” People are subjected to electric shocks, beaten, raped, thousands are arbitrarily detained and held in appalling conditions.

A decision of the Court is binding

First, the judges must decide on the request for emergency measures. They must commit Syria to immediately end torture, release illegally detained people and guarantee the rights of prisoners. A decision is expected within weeks. A decision of the Court is binding. But he has no way to enforce this. He can only appeal to the UN Security Council.

The main proceedings against Syria for violating the Convention against Torture could take years.

The Syrian conflict began in 2011 with protests against Al-Assad’s government. After the violent suppression of the protests, a bloody civil war broke out. So far, about half a million people have been killed and hundreds of thousands injured. (SDA)

Source:Blick