Concealment of Evidence in Syria: A Crime Against Humanity and Justice
January 14, 2025, 3:33 pm

Concealment of Evidence in Syria: A Crime Against Humanity and Justice

Shiyar khaleal

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

Two Villages in Eastern Ukraine Under Russian Control Killings and Abductions of Syrian Security Forces in Qardaha, the Hometown of Bashar al-Assad

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.