Switzerland Charges al-Assad's Uncle with War Crimes: Pursuit of Justice for Syrian Conflict

Switzerland to put uncle of Syria's al-Assad on trial for war crimes Switzerland's pursuit of justice for crimes committed during the Syrian conflict has taken a significant step forward with the decision to put Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syria's current president, on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed more than four decades ago. The accusations against the 86-year-old al-Assad date back to February 1982 when he was serving as commander of the defence brigades involved in a brutal attack in the Syrian city of Hama. The attack was part of the military's efforts to quell an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. According to Swiss federal prosecutors, al-Assad is charged with ordering homicides, acts of torture, cruel treatments, and illegal detentions during his command in Hama. The indictment states that the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity took place within the context of a widespread and systematic attack against the population of Hama, resulting in a staggering death toll ranging from 3,000 to 60,000. While the trial is set to take place in the southern city of Bellinzona, it is unlikely that al-Assad will serve any time in Switzerland even if convicted. This is due to a previous conviction in France for illegal use of Syrian state funds, after which his nephew, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, allowed him to return to Syria, ending his decades-long exile in France. The pursuit of justice against al-Assad was initiated following a complaint filed in 2013 by TRIAL International, a rights group dedicated to working with victims and holding alleged international criminals accountable. The criminal proceedings in Switzerland are being conducted under the principle of international jurisdiction, which allows countries to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide regardless of where they were committed. Switzerland's commitment to prosecuting war crimes dates back to 1968 when war crimes were established as criminal offenses in the country under the Military Criminal Code. This principle allows Switzerland to hold individuals accountable for atrocities committed abroad, regardless of their nationality. As Switzerland prepares to bring al-Assad to trial, it sends a powerful message that those responsible for atrocities, no matter how long ago, will be held accountable under the law. The pursuit of justice in this case serves as a reminder that the passage of time does not diminish the need for accountability and justice for victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.