The Arab Council received a notification from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the importance of the legal document shared by the Arab Council with the Dutch and Canadian foreign ministries prior to the hearing scheduled at the International Court of Justice on October 10, 2023. This hearing will examine the request for interim measures against the Syrian government based on the complaint filed against it due to its non-compliance with the Convention Against Torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment.

The Strategic Litigation portal of the Council has submitted a comprehensive and well-documented report on the systematic use of torture in Syria, in violation of local laws and international agreements. Important recommendations were issued with the aim of imposing temporary measures and actions to halt torture in Syria.

A communication from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the complaining parties (the Netherlands and Canada) greatly benefited from the facts and recommendations presented in the Arab Council’s report in their oral and written submissions to the court.

On this occasion, the Arab Council reaffirms its full support for the Syrian people’s cause and its commitment to necessary legal actions to combat impunity, emphasizing that these crimes do not fall under the statute of limitations, particularly regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity.