On July 17, the world celebrates the International Day of International Criminal Justice, commemorating the adoption of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court. On this occasion, we, in the Syrian Future Movement, affirm that international criminal justice is a system of values and principles that form the foundation of any national project seeking to build a civil, democratic state based on the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that consolidating the principles of international criminal justice in Syria is an urgent national necessity, particularly in light of the country’s gross human rights violations and crimes that amount to crimes against humanity. The lack of accountability and the persistence of impunity constitute a real obstacle to any political or social process aimed at achieving national reconciliation and rebuilding trust among Syrians. Therefore, justice must be at the heart of any transitional process, not as a tool for revenge, but rather as a guarantee of fairness and reconciliation.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that international criminal justice represents an effective tool for confronting serious crimes, providing protection for victims, and promoting a culture of human rights. Supporting the International Criminal Court and cooperating with its mechanisms constitutes a strategic step toward reintegrating Syria into the international legal system and reflects a serious political will to open up to the world and engage in reform and accountability processes.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of integrating the principles of international criminal justice into national policies by developing domestic legislation in line with international standards, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, providing effective mechanisms to protect victims and witnesses, and prosecuting perpetrators of serious crimes. It also calls for enhancing community awareness of these principles, as they are part of the new political culture that must prevail in the future of Syria and serve as the cornerstone for building a state of citizenship and justice.
On this day, the Syrian Future Movement calls for a comprehensive national dialogue on justice and accountability, involving all political and civil forces, with the aim of formulating a shared Syrian vision for transitional justice that guarantees the rights of victims and establishes a cohesive society based on fairness and reconciliation. We also call on the international community to support Syrian efforts in this regard and provide the necessary technical and logistical support to strengthen the capacities of judicial and oversight institutions.
The Syrian Future Movement renews its full commitment to the principles of international criminal justice and affirms that there is no sustainable peace without justice, and no justice without accountability. Building a new Syria requires courageously confronting the past and establishing a future based on respect for human dignity, the rule of law, and effective political participation.
In this context, the International Day of International Criminal Justice is an occasion to renew our commitment to these principles and move toward a more just and equitable future for all Syrians.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for the Syrian Arab Republic to accede to the Rome Statute, as a necessary step toward establishing a culture of accountability and affirming the national commitment to combating serious crimes. Accession to the International Criminal Court does not represent a threat to sovereignty; rather, it is an expression of responsible political will seeking to build a state that respects international law, guarantees the rights of its citizens, and actively participates in shaping a more just and stable future in the region and the world.
