Civilians at Imminent Risk of Mass Atrocities in Dara’a City, Syria
The Simon-Skjodt Center is deeply concerned about the growing risk of mass atrocities in and around the southern Syrian city of Dara’a, where civilian casualties are mounting.
The Simon-Skjodt Center is deeply concerned about the growing risk of mass atrocities in and around the southern Syrian city of Dara’a, where civilian casualties are mounting.
The following letter was shared by Caesar with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum as part of our anniversary event marking ten years of mass atrocities against civilians in Syria.
Over six years have passed since the self-described Islamic State’s assault on Iraq and Syria, and its particular targeting of ethno-religious minority groups for killings, sexual violence, abduction, and torture, among other harms. In September 2020, the Simon-Skjodt Center held a briefing focused on reparations for victims and survivors of these crimes.
On April 23, 2020, a trial before the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany marked a milestone moment: the first prosecution of Syrian government officials for crimes against humanity. This is the first step of many needed to ensure accountability for victims of this brutal conflict.
March 15 marked nine years of conflict in Syria and the message of the day was clear: complacency is unacceptable. This message was echoed throughout a series of events and meetings facilitated by the Museum in the days leading up to the somber anniversary.
On October 17, the Museum hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary, For Sama, a deeply personal insight into the experience of Syrians living under siege in the north-western city of Aleppo.
The Museum's Ferencz International Justice Initiative shares lessons learned from a new UN investigative model for collecting and storing evidence of atrocity crimes.
On March 15th—the same day that it released a report on continued atrocity risks in Syria—the Simon-Skjodt Center hosted a panel discussion with Syrian and diaspora leaders to examine how civil society is responding to the violence and what might come next. Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster, US National Security Advisor, gave a keynote address. Holocaust survivor and Museum volunteer Irene Weiss also delivered remarks.
Holocaust survivor and Museum volunteer Irene Weiss delivers remarks at a Museum event marking seven years of deadly conflict in Syria and highlighting the strength and resilience of the Syrian people in the face of these crimes.
Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster delivers a keynote address acknowledging the bravery of Syrian civilians, condemning the crimes of the Assad regime, and discussing how the US government is working to hold perpetrators and their sponsors accountable.