In January 2022, a court in the German town of Koblenz sentenced Anwar R., a former Syrian intelligence officer, to life in prison for crimes against humanity. Using this trial as a case study, this panel discussion will examine the use of universal jurisdiction as a legal mechanism to hold the Syrian regime accountable for its crimes. The discussion will assess both the significance and limitations of universal jurisdiction, as well as examine other legal mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, and ad hoc criminal tribunals and special courts. International law experts, survivors, and victims’ families will provide diverse perspectives and present our audience with a call to action — a victim-centered approach to justice.
