Event

Syria’s transition seven months on

This event hosted by UK think tank the Foreign Policy Centre examines frameworks for international justice and accountability.

On 8th December 2024, a coalition of armed opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the government of Bashar al-Assad, marking the end of the Assad family’s over 50 year rule in Syria. The country has now entered a pivotal phase of transition, with an interim 5-year constitution in place and a new government led by interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The UK Government and the European Union have both welcomed the declaration of a new Syrian Government and its commitment to advancing accountability efforts, free and fair elections and the rights of minorities.

Whilst the situation in Syria remains fragile, the path forward presents both urgent challenges and historic opportunities, including how to deal with past atrocities and legacy of the al-Assad regime. Severe economic challenges and humanitarian needs are rife, and ongoing mass displacement continues to strain Syrians as the country seeks to rebuild and chart a new future. Moreover, calls remain for accountability and justice for grave human rights abuses to be a priority for the government, requiring the urgent collection and safeguarding of evidence, including from mass grave sites and government records/archives.

This event, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC,  is an opportunity to take stock of where things stand now in Syria, examine the ongoing national dialogue about the country’s future, as well as foundations of post-conflict state-building and assess how mechanisms for international justice and accountability could develop. Bringing together parliamentarians, legal and policy experts, Syrian civil society representatives and academics, the panel of experts will address key questions: how justice can be delivered for victims and survivors? What role should the UK and the international community play in supporting democratic institutions? And what are the prospects for long-term peace and governance?

Speakers

Fadel Abdulghany – Founder and Executive Director of the Syrian Network for Human Rights

Dr Maria Kastrinou – Senior Lecturer in Anthropology at Brunel, University of London

Professor Simon Mabon – Chair in International Politics at Lancaster University and Director of the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) project