Concealing evidence at locations where war crimes and crimes against humanity have occurred is a dual crime against the victims and justice. It is not only an attempt to hide the truth but also a deliberate act to prevent the perpetrators from being held accountable and to deny victims their rights to uncover the truth and achieve justice.

In the Syrian context, where prisons and detention centers have become sites of unimaginable suffering, attempts to conceal evidence pose an additional threat to justice. The removal of evidence, manipulation of crime scenes, or even the prevention of documenting the crimes continue a systematic approach aimed at evading accountability and depriving society of knowing what really happened.

Legal Responsibility

According to international law, any act aimed at concealing evidence related to war crimes and crimes against humanity is considered a standalone crime. The Syrian regime, which is deemed the main perpetrator of these crimes, continues its attempts to hide the truth, either through the direct destruction of evidence or by preventing documentation.

International law, including the Geneva Protocols and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, obligates states to protect evidence related to war crimes. Therefore, allowing access to crime scenes or tampering with evidence represents a blatant violation of these obligations and reflects direct or indirect involvement in the crime itself.

Permitting the destruction or alteration of these sites serves as evidence of an integrated system working to shield the perpetrators from accountability. Those responsible for these actions, whether government authorities or unofficial entities operating under their supervision, bear clear legal and moral responsibilities.

The Importance of Protecting Evidence and Crime Scenes

Sites that have witnessed severe violations are not just physical locations; they are testimonies to human suffering and the crimes committed. Tampering with or altering these sites means destroying the material evidence that could help identify those responsible for the crimes and hold them accountable.

International laws require states to protect these sites as part of the collective memory. Leaving these places vulnerable to tampering is a violation of victims’ rights and prevents society from courageously confronting its history.

The Role of Civil Society: Guardian of Truth and Justice

In the face of these violations, the role of civil society emerges as the first line of defense in protecting truth and justice. Documenting crimes, reporting attempts to conceal evidence, and supporting victims in their demands for justice are essential roles that must be performed resolutely.

Human rights activists play a pivotal role in exposing attempts to manipulate evidence, and initiatives like that launched by Syrian activist Al-Mu'tassem Al-Kailani to file a formal complaint against individuals involved in concealing evidence at the Political Security branch in Latakia reflect an increasing awareness of the importance of accountability. These efforts contribute to preserving the truth and remind the world that the struggle for justice is not over.

A Call to the International Community: Justice is a Human Duty

Attempts to conceal evidence are not merely a local issue; they are a crime that touches the global human conscience. The international community must take responsibility for protecting Syrian crime scenes, supporting documentation efforts, and ensuring accountability for those responsible for these crimes.

Any complacency in confronting these violations means allowing them to be repeated in the future. Justice is not merely a human rights demand; it is a necessity for building a fair human society. The international community possesses the legal and political tools to hold the involved parties accountable and must use them effectively.

Justice as a Condition for Reconciliation

No reconciliation or reconstruction process in Syria can succeed without a sincere confrontation with the past. Concealing evidence means concealing the truth, and no society can overcome its tragedies without confronting them courageously and holding those responsible accountable.

Justice is not just an option that can be overlooked; it is the foundation for restoring human dignity and achieving lasting peace. Sacrificing the truth means sacrificing humanity, and the world must recognize that erasing evidence does not erase the crime but erases human conscience.

In conclusion, preserving criminal evidence and the testimonies associated with it is not only a legal necessity but a moral duty. The struggle for justice must continue, not only to honor the victims but to ensure a future in which violations are rejected, and criminals are held accountable.

Everyone—from governments and international organizations to civil society and individuals—must bear this responsibility. Preserving the truth is a struggle for humanity itself, and the concealment of evidence is a erasure of humanity as a whole.

by: Shiyar Khalil