Berlin says probe into most serious human rights violations in Syria is key for reconciliation and a new beginning for the country
Germany announced its strong support Tuesday for UN-led efforts to assist in the investigation and prosecution of Bashar Assad regime officials responsible for war crimes and human rights violations in Syria.
"In the weeks following the fall of the cruel regime of Assad, investigating serious human rights violations in Syria remains crucial for the country's reconciliation and new beginning," the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said that Germany will continue supporting UN-led efforts through the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) to collect evidence of the Assad regime's crimes and make them available for court proceedings.
Tobias Lindner, Germany's Syria Coordinator and Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, met with IIIM head Robert Petit on Tuesday to discuss bolstering support for accountability efforts in Syria, the ministry said.
“Germany has supported the IIIM since its inception, and thanks to the IIIM's meticulous work, the German judiciary has been able to prosecute serious human rights violations by the Assad regime in Germany in accordance with the principle of universal jurisdiction. One million euros will now be made available in the short term from the budget of the German Foreign Ministry to further strengthen the work of the IIIM,” it said.
It also emphasized that punishing the crimes committed by Assad regime officials must take place under Syrian leadership.
The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism - Syria was established in December 2016 by the UN General Assembly to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria since March 2011.
It collects, preserves and analyses information and evidence. It then shares either on request or proactively with competent jurisdictions material and analytical products relevant to ongoing investigations.
