Syria rights groups slam government over justice workshop ban

“The abrupt decision to ban the holding of this meeting... constitutes a flagrant violation of fundamental rights,” the groups said
“It reminds us of the conditions we lived under before the victory of Dec. 8“

DAMASCUS: Human rights groups in the Syrian Arab Republic have condemned the last minute banning of a justice workshop they had planned to hold in Damascus, accusing the country’s transitional government of obstructing accountability.
Justice for the victims of crimes committed during the civil war which broke out in 2011 is one of the key issues facing Syria after Islamist-led rebels finally toppled longtime strongman Bashar Assad in December.
“The abrupt decision to ban the holding of this meeting... constitutes a flagrant violation of fundamental rights,” the groups said in a joint statement on Thursday.
“This arbitrary measure reflects an approach which undermines the principles of transparency and participation, and threatens the chances of delivering justice.
“It reminds us of the conditions we lived under before the victory of Dec. 8.”
An array of former members of Assad’s government and security forces have been accused of war crimes but allegations have also been made against the rebel groups who toppled him late last year.
“It’s possible that some officials considered that the presence of non-governmental organizations which documented the crimes and abuses that were perpetrated in Syria, and not just by the regime, risked one day putting them in a position where they would face accusations,” the rights groups said.
An official in Syria’s interim government said the foreign ministry would publish an explanation of the decision later.
The rights groups which had been due to take part in the workshop include the Caesar Files for Justice, the Syrian Archive, the Al Share’ Media Foundation and the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research.