Dimasheq
The National Authority for Transitional Justice stated that the verdict issued against defendant Atef Najib represents an important milestone in the process of accountability for the grave crimes that took place in Syria. It said the ruling reinforces the principle of the rule of law and the need to prevent impunity, while representing a step toward achieving justice for victims through an institutional judicial process.
In a statement, the Authority said the verdict against Najib comes within a judicial process aimed at achieving justice and holding those responsible for crimes accountable. It stressed that accountability must be carried out in accordance with the law and established judicial procedures, while safeguarding the rights of both victims and defendants.
The Authority explained that the issuance of the verdict constitutes an important milestone in Syria’s path toward justice, but that it is part of a broader and ongoing transitional justice process encompassing truth-seeking, accountability and prosecution, reparations, preservation of memory, and efforts to ensure that crimes and violations are not repeated.
It stressed that transitional justice is not limited to issuing judicial verdicts, but encompasses an integrated set of measures aimed at addressing the legacy of grave violations and crimes, laying foundations that ensure justice for victims, and strengthening their confidence in state institutions and the judiciary.
The Authority affirmed that adopting a judicial and institutional approach to accountability provides a foundation for consolidating the rule of law. It noted that the objective of transitional justice measures is to build institutions capable of protecting society, safeguarding individual rights, and preventing the recurrence of crimes and violations in the future.
The Authority added that achieving justice for victims requires, alongside accountability, efforts to uncover the truth, document what happened, and preserve national memory. Such efforts contribute to addressing the consequences of violations and paving the way toward a society better able to overcome the legacy of violence and abuses.
The Authority concluded by stressing that transitional justice in Syria is an ongoing process and that achieving justice requires coordinated efforts by judicial, human rights, and community institutions, in a manner that reinforces the rule of law, ensures that perpetrators do not escape accountability, and lays the foundations for preventing the recurrence of crimes.
