Image Source: Central News
Syria – The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has expressed serious concerns about Russia’s decision to grant asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Under international law, individuals accused of crimes against humanity, war crimes, or other serious violations are ineligible for humanitarian asylum.
Granting Assad asylum, SNHR argues, obstructs efforts to hold him accountable and sends a troubling message to victims, who deserve justice for the atrocities committed against them.
“Article F1 of the 1951 Refugee Convention excludes individuals from humanitarian asylum if there are serious reasons to consider that they have committed crimes against peace, war crimes, or crimes against humanity (a), committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge prior to their admission as a refugee (b), or have been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations (c).”
“This provision aims to ensure that perpetrators of major and serious crimes do not evade justice while maintaining the integrity of asylum systems and balancing the protection of refugees with justice for victims.”
“While individuals excluded under Article F1 cannot obtain refugee status, they must not be returned to a country where they face a real risk of torture or other gross human rights violations. In such cases, states may provide limited or temporary forms of protection without granting full refugee status.”
“As such, should Russia decide to extradite Bashar Assad to Syria, the governing authority in Syria must ensure a fair trial and guarantee that he will not be subjected to torture or cruel treatment.”
Despite these principles, on 8 December 2024, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had granted asylum to Assad and his family, who recently arrived in Moscow. This decision, defended on “humanitarian grounds,” has been widely criticized for undermining international legal standards.
SNHR has extensively documented the atrocities committed under Assad’s regime, including the deaths of over 202,000 Syrian civilians, the forced disappearance of 96,000 individuals, the displacement of more than 13 million people, and the use of chemical weapons. These crimes also include widespread torture and other grave human rights abuses.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
Speaking to Salaamedia, SNHR’s Executive Director Fadel Abdul Ghany stated that Russia’s decision not only obstructs justice but also impedes Syria’s recovery. He called on other nations that have given refuge to Assad’s associates—many of whom are implicated in similar crimes—to deport them to Syria.
“We call here for the future Syrian government to pressure Russia and issue a request to extradite Bashar Al-Assad to them. They must assure [Russia] that he will not be subjected To any type of torture.”
“However, Al-Assad’s not only one person, he’s a regime consisting of thousands of officers … who helped and supported him. [As such] all of them need to be held accountable.”
Ghany emphasized the importance of ensuring that these individuals face trial under the new Syrian administration, which is working to deliver justice for victims and accountability within the country. He described these actions as essential for Syria’s recovery and its ability to move forward from the dark chapter of Assad’s regime.
“Al-Assad and his regime must be held accountable; otherwise, Syria will never heal, and that’s what we don’t want. [We don’t want] to see people seeking revenge on their own. Justice must be served.”
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What Needs to Happen
SNHR urges Russia to extradite Bashar al-Assad to face a fair trial in Syria, overseen by international bodies, and to reverse its decision to grant him asylum, as it contravenes international law and the pursuit of justice.
The organization also calls on the international community to pressure Russia and other nations to stop providing safe havens for individuals accused of war crimes. By holding Assad and his associates accountable, these actions would ensure justice for victims and support Syria’s path toward reconciliation and recovery.
