Christian leaders in Britain have asked the UK Government to formally recognize the deaths of Armenians during World War I as a 'genocide'. The massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1918 is recognized as a 'genocide' by 22 countries. The US Congress has recognized the genocide, but no US president has formally recognized the congressional vote. The letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the significance of formally recognizing the events and the importance of acknowledging historical injustices. The letter also mentioned the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that the latest conflict has 'repeated' the century-old conflict in the Ottoman Empire. The Church leaders called on the UK to send a strong message to the world about its commitment to historical truth and justice by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. They also claimed that there is a 'high risk' of a new war breaking out in the region. [c3198d85]
A French court has sentenced three high-ranking Syrian officials in absentia to life in prison for complicity in war crimes. The trial focused on their role in the alleged arrest, torture, and killing of Mazen Dabbagh and his son Patrick in 2013 in Damascus. The officials, Ali Mamlouk, Jamil Hassan, and Abdel Salam Mahmoud, are the most senior Syrian officials to go on trial in a European court for crimes committed during the civil war. The trial began on Tuesday and featured testimonies from survivors and family members. The defendants were absent from the trial. The verdict is largely symbolic as France and Syria do not have an extradition treaty. However, the trial is seen as a message of hope for Syrian victims and a call to not normalize relations with the Assad regime. The verdict is the first recognition in France of the crimes against humanity of the Syrian regime. [4cd5fce0] [ee309972]
On May 24, 2024, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Major General Ali Mamlouk, Major General Jamil al-Hassan, and Brigadier General Abdel Salam Mahmoud to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity and war crimes. They were convicted of complicity in the torture and killing of Mazen and Patrick Dabbagh, Syrian-French nationals who were detained and forcibly disappeared in 2013. The trial marked the first time high-ranking Syrian officials were held accountable in France. Syrian civil society organizations and victims' associations welcomed the ruling as an important step towards justice and the fight against impunity. They expressed gratitude to the witnesses and the Dabbagh family for their courage and determination. The statement emphasized the need for all perpetrators of violations in Syria to be held accountable and for victims to receive justice and compensation. The signatories included organizations such as Syrians for Truth and Justice, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. [3ad806a1]
In a significant development, the United States has charged two former top Syrian intelligence officials, Jamil Hassan (72) and Abdul Salam Mahmoud (65), with war crimes related to their treatment of detainees at Mezzeh Prison from January 2012 to July 2019. They are accused of inflicting cruel treatment, including beatings, electrocution, and threats of sexual assault. Arrest warrants have been issued for both officials, who remain at large. If convicted, they face life imprisonment. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the need for accountability for atrocities committed against American citizens and others during the Syrian civil war, highlighting the U.S. commitment to pursuing justice for victims of war crimes. [24973294]
Calls for justice and recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide are intensifying. An international webinar organized by 'Genocide 71' highlighted the need for global acknowledgment and education about the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani army and their collaborators. The genocide resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths. The webinar featured speakers such as Ian Martin, an English human rights activist, Syed Muntasir Mamun, Chief Innovation Officer, Director General, MoFA Dhaka Bangladesh, Ayreen Khan, a visual artist and researcher, and Bob Lancia, a former American legislator. The organizers of the event, Mukto Ashor Bangladesh History Olympiad, are committed to elevating the Bangladesh Genocide to the international forefront through educational workshops, exhibitions, and publications. The Bangladesh Genocide refers to the systematic and widespread atrocities committed by the Pakistani military and their collaborators in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971, resulting in mass killings, rapes, torture, and forced displacement. [d2ad3610]