Canada and the Netherlands v. Syrian Arab Republic

On June 8, 2023, the governments of Canada and The Netherlands brought a case against Syria before the International Court of Justice accusing the Syrian Government of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population beginning at least in 2011  and failing to fulfill its obligations regarding the prohibition against torture violating the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

The Syrian government, in response, criticized the human rights record of Canada and The Netherlands and claimed that they were financing armed terrorist organizations in Syria. And that they serve the agendas of their political American master, and later claimed that their statements are disinformation and lies. Syria boycotted the first hearing.

The Court approved provisional measures that order Syria to take measures to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment As well as preserve all evidence related to torture.

Case Progression
On 18 September 2020, The Netherlands formally notified Syria that it was requesting negotiations pursuant to Article 30(1) of the Convention against Torture, via Note Verbale. In response, The Syrian Government publicly denounced The Netherlands actions and put out a statement criticized the human rights record of The Netherlands and claimed that they were financing armed terrorist organizations in Syria and that they serve the agendas of their political American master.

On 3 March 2021, Canada formally notified Syria of its request for negotiations pursuant to Article 30(1) via Note Verbale to the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations.

On 12 March 2021, Canada and the Netherlands announced their intention to their joint intention to file the case.

Canada and the Netherlands claimed lengthy efforts over the course of more than two years, and that the dispute could not be settled through negotiation. And formally filed a case against Syria before the International Court of Justice on June 8, 2023. The case accused the Syrian Government of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population beginning at least in 2011, and failing to fulfill its obligations regarding the prohibition against torture violating the United Nations Convention Against Torture. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism(IIM) that was created by the United Nations to investigate crimes in Syria welcomed the case stated its readiness to support the proceedings. The United States also welcomed the proceedings.

The first Hearing was due to open 19 July 2023 but was reschedule to 10 October 2023. The reschedule was due to the request of the Syrian Government. Canada and The Netherlands regretted the delay. The Syrian Government Responded by attacking the case, calling the statements disinformation and lies. And claimed again that both countries are supporting terrorists and aggression against Syria. And that they lack legitimacy to talk on human rights. And that their history is stained with the crimes that were committed in the colonies and against their country’s indigenous population.

On 10 October, the first hearing was held. Canada and The Netherlands presented their oral arguments. Syria did not participate in the Oral Proceedings and its legal delegation did not attend the hearing.

In their arguments, Canada and The Netherlands requested that Syria:


 * Immediately takes effective measures to cease and prevent all acts that amount to or contribute to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
 * Cease arbitrary detention, and release all persons who are arbitrarily or unlawfully detained.
 * Allow access to all of its official and unofficial places of detention by independent monitoring mechanisms.
 * Take urgent measures to improve the conditions of all of its official and unofficial detention facilities.
 * Disclose the location of the burial sites of persons who died as a result of torture.
 * Safeguard any information relating to the cause of death of any detainee and shall not destroy any evidence related to the case.

On 16 November 2023, the court approved two provisional measures:


 * Syria will take all measures to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
 * Syria shall take effective measures to prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of any evidence.

Both of them passed with 13 votes to 2. With Russian judge Gevorgian and Chinese judge Xue voting against the ruling.

Canada and the Netherlands welcomed the ruling in a joint statement. UN Syria Commission also welcomed the ruling. Human rights watch called the ruling a milestone toward protecting civilians.

Background
Read Human Rights violation in Syria and The Syrian civil war