Dear All:

On behalf of the Free Syrian Lawyers Association and its organizing partners, I would like to welcome you to our today’s conference. In 2012, the Free Syrian Lawyers Association was founded to enhance the rule of law and bring about respect to human rights in Syria. Throughout the past decade, we implemented multiple projects across Syria and organized landmark events that shaped the entire discussion about justice and accountability in Syria, most famously the Syria Justice Conference of 2018.

Today, we convene to discuss key policy issues such as dignified return, safe environment, and justice. At the core of these critical topics lies the Syrian human who has been suffering for a decade.

We approach today’s meeting through the lens of the victim-centered approach which we have adopted as a doctrine since 2012. But what is the victim-centered approach? This concept is not a mere rhetorical statement. It is the driving force for any justice and accountability plans and pre-requisite for any peace process. FSLA has over 300 lawyers and activists operating inside Syria who strive to empower affected people to share their stories and update them about the justice process at both local and international levels. So, we are here today to promote the voices of these people and ensure that they are heard. We convey to you messages of resilience, heroism, and hope. A hope that today’s meeting contributes to ending the tragic suffering which Syrians have been experiencing for a decade. We come with three concrete demands:

First, most Syrians believe that justice and accountability is a priority and non-negotiable item. To that end, Syrians demand that we discuss concrete steps on how to hold perpetrators to account. They demand that we collaborate, share data, exchange ideas, and move together as one group to be their vehicle for change. I am sure that many of us have heard that some regional and international governments have taken actions towards re-engaging with the Syrian government in diplomatic relationships. And for many understandable reasons, NGOs and activists have both condemned and resisted these attempts to normalize human rights atrocities and war crimes. I would like to assure you that the Syrian people, who often are underrepresented at the international arena, continue to consider the current government illegitimate and that any attempt to rush a solution to the conflict without a comprehensive accountability mechanism is as illegitimate as the regime itself.

Second, most Syrians believe that Syria is an unsafe environment. And despite missing their family members and loved ones who were forced to leave the country, they encourage them not to return. “Never consider returning home now. I will never forgive you if you do so.” This statement is repeated by many Syrian mothers while speaking to their children overseas over the phone. Imagine with me the pain and suffering which a mother who has not seen her children for a decade endures as she asks her children to stay away from her. Against all of this suffering, unfortunately, some governments have decided to consider Syria a safe place to which Syrian asylum seekers and refugees should “voluntarily” return. These governments are telling Syrian families that they can assess the situations better than those who are inside Syria. But they are wrong. Syrian women are right. Nothing a Syrian mother wants and needs more than seeing her loved ones and children, but she is enduring their absence for their safety. Syrian women are aware that arbitrary arrests, torture, and inhumane treatments remain the main means by which the Syrian regime welcome those who return. And all governments must take Syrian women's words as the truth of the matter.

Third, most Syrians demand that the international community include them in justice and accountability efforts and the ongoing peace process. To date, Syrians remain distanced from these efforts. Unfortunately, the international community has transformed justice and peace issues to high-level meetings attended exclusively by NGOs and diplomats who can easily access western countries. We cannot expect Syrian refugees in Lebanon who are residing in tents that lack electricity and basic hygiene services and who are subject to arbitrary and discriminatory orders that restrict their freedom of movements to be able to follow what is happening at the international arena. We cannot expect Syrians who are still inside Syria with almost no access to electricity to learn about justice and peace. We therefore convey a message from Syrians that the international community has to make justice and peace efforts more accessible, participatory, and inclusive. This means that governments involved in Syria should increase funding for organizations that work closely with Syrians and have constant access to them, so they can update them about the ongoing justice efforts and be their voice at international levels.

Thank you for your active listening. I hope that you take the opportunity to share your insights with us on these items and others.