Suggestions and discussions continue on how to handle the trial of ISIS members captured in Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) operations in Northern and Eastern Syria. The latest suggestion came from France to set up an international court in Iraq for the trials, while the dynamics in Northern and Eastern Syria lean towards putting the gangs on trial where they were captured.

Lawyers from Dirbesiye said the crimes against humanity committed by ISIS members can be best uncovered in Northern and Eastern Syria where they were active and added that the gang members should face trial in Northern and Eastern Syrian territory.

“CRIMINALS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED WHERE THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED”

Lawyer Heysem Bekir said they don’t accept proposals to put the gang members on trial outside of Syria: “The only witnesses to the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by ISIS live in Northern and Eastern Syria.” Bekir pointed out that international law also suggests every person should be tried where they committed crimes: “That is why ISIS gangs should be tried in Northern and Eastern Syria where they committed the crimes. The victims of ISIS’s war crimes and the force that captured the gang members, the SDF, are here in Northern and Eastern Syria.”

Bekir said lawyers in the region will come together for the establishment of an international court.

“WITNESSES LIVE IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN SYRIA”

Lawyer Welaa El Eli said setting up a court outside of Syria would violate international law and continued: “The law says criminals should face trial where they committed the crime. If the international court is set up in Northern and Eastern Syria, thousands of children, women and civilians can testify as witnesses to the ISIS gangs’ crimes against humanity.”