Yasmen Almashan’s Fight for Justice for Syria’s Missing Persons
Yasmen Almashan, a founding member of the Caesar Families Association, endured the devastating loss of five of her six brothers between 2012 and 2014 during the early years of the Syrian civil war.
Today, she is a tireless advocate for uncovering the truth about Syria’s more than 130,000 missing persons. Speaking before the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ms. Almashan emphasized that a national transitional justice policy, implemented by Syria’s caretaker authorities, would be a crucial step toward achieving accountability.
“Victim participation is essential for transitional justice programs to succeed and to foster a culture of human rights in countries grappling with dictatorship or undergoing transition,” she stressed.
She highlighted the role of victims in bridging societal divides and creating an environment of peace and justice in Syria.
Ms. Almashan has previously shared the harrowing story of her second brother, who was arrested in March 2012, tortured in detention, and later identified in the infamous Caesar Files—named after a former Syrian military photographer who exposed evidence of detainee abuses.
Persistent advocacy by Syrian NGOs contributed substantially to the UN General Assembly’s adoption of Resolution 77/301 in June 2023. The resolution established the Independent Institution for the Missing in Syria, ensuring that victims and their families have a voice in the process.
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Addressing Past Atrocities
UN human rights chief Volker Türk underscored the importance of transitional justice, commending Member States’ commitments to addressing historical injustices for the benefit of future generations.
In Guatemala, coalitions led by victims have successfully prosecuted 31 military and paramilitary officials for crimes against humanity and genocide.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized the need for an inclusive, victim-centered, gender-responsive, and innovative approach to transitional justice.
Pointing out that 2024 saw the highest number of active conflicts since World War II, Mr. Türk also praised Colombia’s efforts to mend divisions stemming from its prolonged civil war. Measures include psychosocial support for victims, land redistribution initiatives, rural development programs, and the restoration of indigenous territories’ ecosystems.
Additionally, in Kenya, survivors of sexual violence now have a national reparations network to seek justice, while in Chad, civil society perseverance led to victims receiving reparations last year.
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Empowering Young People
The call for justice was echoed by Sofija Todorovic, Programme Director of Serbia’s Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR). She urged for the inclusion of young people in discussions about building a fair and just society.
“It is our duty to support them. We must provide them with the necessary tools and opportunities to shape the future they deserve. The rest, they will accomplish on their own,” Ms. Todorovic asserted.
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Calls for Genocide Prevention
Speaking at the Council, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif warned Member States of the growing threats to international legal principles designed to protect humanity from atrocities.
“We are witnessing dangerous times as deep divisions and extreme ideologies fuel conflict and violence worldwide,” she cautioned.
She noted that genocide often follows “clear patterns of discrimination, exclusion, and incitement to hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other defining traits.”
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A Global System Under Strain
Ms. Al-Nashif expressed deep concern over the erosion of international protections, emphasizing that the United Nations was established in the wake of the Holocaust to prevent such horrors from recurring.
She pointed to arms sales, military aid, and financial support for parties violating international law as “clear indicators” of potential complicity in atrocity crimes.
“Genocide occurs when humanity’s moral compass collapses, when hatred spreads unchecked, and when the dehumanization of entire communities is allowed to flourish,” she warned.
She concluded with a decisive appeal: “Together, we must strive for a world where genocide and other crimes against humanity are unimaginable. And if they do occur, justice must prevail.”
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