Syria's former dictator Bashar Assad was sentenced to death for crimes against his own people. But for many civil war survivors, it's not enough
In July, a Syrian court sentenced former dictator Bashar Assad to death for crimes against his own people. But after 14 years of civil war, many survivors are demanding more when it comes to transitional justice.
Huda Khayti, a Syrian women's rights activist, witnessed the devastating impact of the civil war on her hometown of Douma, which was destroyed by the Assad regime's forces in 2013. The Syrian dictator, Bashar Assad, was sentenced to death for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but many survivors like Khayti feel that the conviction is only symbolic.
The court found Assad guilty of premeditated murder, torture, and depriving individuals of their liberty, all of which are considered war crimes. Despite the conviction, Assad remains in Russia, where he is unlikely to be extradited due to a treaty between Syria and Russia. For Khayti, it is crucial that those who were directly responsible for the crimes, such as those who wrote reports leading to people being detained in the Saydnaya torture prison, are also held accountable.
However, it remains unclear how thoroughly Syria will address its past, as the focus on convictions may not be enough to bring justice for the countless victims.
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