The Role of Refugees in Prosecuting Officials: Stories from European Courts

Amid the absence of justice inside Syria, European courts have become a key platform for Syrian victims to pursue officials responsible for war crimes, thanks to the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for prosecuting perpetrators of serious crimes regardless of where they were committed. This legal framework has provided Syrian refugees with a historic opportunity to expose violations and give their testimonies.

The Case of Anwar Raslan: Testimonies Breaking the Wall of Silence

One of the most prominent examples is the trial of former Colonel Anwar Raslan, who was responsible for Branch 251 (Al-Khatib Branch) in Damascus. In January 2022, a German court sentenced him to life imprisonment after convicting him of crimes against humanity.

This conviction was only possible due to the courage of dozens of Syrians who appeared before the Koblenz court, recounting the details of their suffering inside the security branches. Some witnesses spent years in prisons, while others managed to flee to Europe where they found the chance to testify after a long silence.

The Importance of These Trials

The significance of these trials goes beyond convicting individual perpetrators; they document the crimes in an official international judicial record. They give victims a voice, open the door for broader accountability in the future, and send a clear message that impunity is not inevitable.

Although the rulings cannot compensate for the severe losses suffered by victims, they represent a step toward justice and restore hope for the possibility of holding all those involved in violations accountable.