In Syria, it has been reported that a unique type of crimes were systematically committed under Bashar Assad regime. There are numerous evidence indicating that the regime perpetrated atrocities for years using all its machinery, while it is noted that temporary government officials are very active and trying to maintain control.

Robert Petit, the Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) investigating crimes in Syria on behalf of the United Nations (UN), talked about the events that occurred after Assad regime’s overthrow on December 8, 2024, and the crimes committed during the regime. Petit emphasized that there is still an ongoing transitional period in the country, underlining the active roles of the “temporary government officials” who are trying to maintain control.

Recalling their visit to Syria on December 21, 2024, Petit mentioned that they accessed a specific area where numerous documents were found. Petit expressed concerns about the possibility of evidence still disappearing, despite many being destroyed, stolen, or lost. He highlighted the existence of a fragile situation where evidence could still be lost. Petit hoped to go to Syria and start working, waiting for permission from the authorities there. Petit reported that in this process, very few situations are normal in Syria and temporary government officials face numerous challenges after Assad regime.

“There Was Complete Impunity in Syria” Petit stated that during Assad regime years, no legal process was initiated for those who committed these crimes. There was no justice for those who committed these crimes in Syria. There was complete impunity. He also mentioned that Syrians will decide who should be held accountable for which crime in what format and whether investigations should be conducted at the International Criminal Court (ICC), a hybrid court, or a local court. Petit stressed the essentiality of holding the main architects of these crimes accountable and ensuring that they are appropriately tried in order to reveal the truth and provide proper accountability. He expressed that the international community should support a process led by Syrians themselves and their decisions.

“The Types of Crimes Committed Were Unique” Petit, who emphasized that the UN has a lot of experience in post-conflict environments, said, “It is true that the number of crimes and their systematic nature are true, and the types of these crimes were quite unique in some aspects. We can think of the use of chemical weapons against civilians, but the prison system is also part of it.”

DETENTION CENTERS AND TORTURE Petit revealed that they prepared a report documenting over 100 detention centers where Syrians were illegally detained, arrested, subjected to torture, and were part of this system shortly before the regime fell. After going to Syria three weeks after the regime’s fall, he reported that he saw that people were very hopeful, but there was also a lot of fear and concern among them. Petit added that there are many reasons to be hopeful if they are supported by the international community.