On November 29, 2024, the Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria (CVDCS) organized a conference in Gaziantep, Turkey, in cooperation with the Free Syrian Lawyers Association (FSLA) to mark the occasion of the “Remembrance of the victims of Chemical warfare.”
The conference, titled “Justice on Hold,” brought together organizations and entities focused on human rights, documentation, and media, along with the participation of several notable figures.
The conference aimed to enhance international cooperation in combating weapons of mass destruction and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of chemical weapons victims. It also highlighted efforts to achieve justice and hold accountable those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
The conference discussed various ways to strengthen collaboration between state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and international institutions working to combat the use, development, transfer, and storage of chemical weapons. It stressed the necessity of providing states and experts with the support needed to address increasing challenges in this domain. The discussions underscored the importance of continuing field and technical investigations to ensure accurate documentation of these violations.
Nidal Shikhani, General Director of the Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria, stated that the center used the conference to present comprehensive testimonies from victims and their families. The aim was to deliver a clear message to state parties to the CWC on the need to establish accountability mechanisms and create a judicial body to prosecute perpetrators while ensuring the rights of member states under the convention.
Shikhani emphasized that the conference was held to send a message to victims and their families, reminding them that there are still entities actively working to support their rights in international forums.
Samer AL Deyaei, Executive Director of the Free Syrian Lawyers Association, affirmed that the primary goal of the conference was to stress that legal and human rights organizations have been tirelessly working for over a decade on documentation, advocacy, and investigations to achieve accountability and justice.
Al Deyaei called for all organizations and entities to adopt a “complementary” approach, asserting that justice in Syria is a necessity, not a luxury, and that lasting peace in Syria cannot be achieved without accountability and the prosecution of war criminals, particularly those responsible for chemical attacks.
The conference concluded with several key recommendations, including strengthening support for victims of chemical weapons through the establishment of a witness protection program and intensifying international efforts to create an independent judicial body. Such a body would ensure the prosecution of those involved in the use of chemical weapons and uphold the rights of state parties under the CWC.
The conference also urged the need for solidarity among all state parties and civil society organizations to achieve a world free of chemical weapons, uphold victims’ rights, and ensure justice, accountability, and the prevention of impunity.
chemical_attack chemical_weapons CVDCS justice_on_hold syria
