In response to the escalating violations in Northwest Syria, the “Free Syrian Lawyers Association” calls for swift international action to protect civilians.
Official Statement October 31, 2023 In accordance with the principles enshrined in International Humanitarian Law, particularly Articles 48, 51(2), and 52 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which emphasize the protection of civilians during hostilities in armed conflicts, the Free Syrian Lawyers Association (FSLA) wishes to draw attention to the alarming situation […]
Joint Statement: Violations Are Still Being Committed in All Parts of Syria, including Northern Syria, Refoulment of Refugees Poses a Serious Threat
Turkish Authorities Must Respect Their Obligations Under Customary International Law Which Strictly Prohibits Refoulment We, the undersigned Syrian civil society organizations, wish to express our profound concern at the Turkish government’s recent decision to forcibly repatriate Syrian refugees to northwestern Syria. Such a decision constitutes a violation of the Principle of Non-Refoulment established in international […]
The International Court of Justice.. postpones its first session in the lawsuit filed by Canada and the Netherlands
The initial proceedings in the lawsuit brought forth by Canada and the Netherlands against the Syrian regime have been postponed, as declared by the International Court of Justice in an official statement released on July 15, 2023. This lawsuit, centered around allegations of violations of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading […]
Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly Establishing an Institution for the Missing in Syria
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a draft resolution to establish an independent institution dedicated to addressing the issue of missing persons in the Syrian Arab Republic. On Thursday, June 29, 2023, a vote was held on draft resolution A/77/L.79, which aims to establish an international institution focused on addressing the plight of missing […]
“Official Statement on the Sixth International Conference on the Return of Syrian Refugees and Migrants
The Free Syrian Lawyers Association (FSLA) shares its reflections on the Sixth International Conference that took place on June 5th, 2023, in Damascus, primarily focusing on the return of Syrian refugees and displaced individuals. This yearly conference, coordinated by Syrian and Russian authorities since its inception, has not yielded any concrete outcomes nor has it […]
Assad regime constitutes the foremost antagonist to press liberty
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, a comprehensive report attests that the Assad regime constitutes the foremost antagonist to press liberty and the most lethal threat to journalists in Syria. The Associations of Syrian Journalists and Free Syrian Lawyers assert that the Syrian regime persistently ranks as the principal perpetrator of transgressions and […]
Statement on the Violations and Deportations Affecting Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
We, at the Free Syrian Lawyers Association – FSLA, express our deep concern about the continued human rights violations and deportations affecting Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The situation has taken a disturbing turn, with increasing reports of forced deportations, violations, discrimination, and targeting of Syrian refugees in different regions of the country. Lebanon has generously […]
On Its Fifth Anniversary, the Chemical Massacre in Douma Does Not Leave the Minds of Syrians
The 7th of April marks the fifth anniversary of the chemical attack carried out by Assad’s forces on the city of Douma, located in the countryside of Damascus. On the 7th of April of the year 2018, Assad’s forces bombed the town of Douma during forced evacuation operations from Eastern Ghouta after a comprehensive siege […]
6 Years Since the Chemical Attack on Khan Shaykhun; Still No Accountability or Justice for the Victims
Six years have passed since the sarin gas massacre committed by the Assad regime against civilians in Khan Shaykhun, in the city of Idlib, on April 4th, 2017. Yet, the Assad regime is still not held accountable. In this massacre, more than 100 people were killed, primarily children, and nearly 500 were injured by the […]
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrants against the Russian President and the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation
on 17/03/2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, Commissioner for children’s rights of the Office of the president of the Russian Federation, for their responsibility for committing war crimes in Ukraine. Legal jurisdiction Defines the territorial jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, the Court shall […]
The Syrian regime continues to commit crimes against humanity, war crimes and unfair trials of the Syrian people
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry published its periodic report No. A/HRC/52/69 on human rights cases that require the attention of the Human Rights Council in Syria, which covers the period from July 2022 to December 2022. The report comprised 26 pages and 18 appendices and dealt with eight axes related to the mandate, methodology, […]
The 12th Anniversary of the Syrian Revolution; No Justice without Accountability
No justice without accountability is a slogan the Free Syrian Lawyers Association raised in demonstrations on the 12th anniversary of the Syrian revolution. Members of the association, including lawyers and administrators, participated in the protests that took place in northern Syria, which demanded freedom, dignity and the overthrow of the Assad regime, stressing their right […]
A Statement Regarding the Turkish Border Guards’ Attack on some Syrian Citizens
Every once in a while, Turkish Border Guards “Gendarmerie” attack Syrian civilians fleeing war zones in Syria by using lethal force, this has been repeated in dozens of incidents over the past years. Syrians who attempt to cross the borders entering the Turkish lands only search for a safe haven in Turkey, which they consider […]
How to Avoid Rumors at Times of Natural Disasters and Obtain Correct Information
Natural disasters are a fertile environment for spreading rumors that exacerbate the rapid response operations of rescue teams and increase panic among the public. Social media contributes to the exaggeration of the situation and spreading of misleading information, especially in times of disasters, thus increasing panic and fear among people which leads to the occurrence […]
Torturing Incrimination, A Bloody Law
Firstly, Summery of the Law’s Articles: The articles of the Torturing Incrimination Law included the following: 1- Definition of the crime of torture and a number of punishments applied on the crime committers. The Decree was issued according to Syria’s constitutional obligations that prohibits torturing, and to Convention Against Torture which was ratified earlier […]
