In Washington... Syrian Community Takes Legal Action Against Damascus Foreign Minister
These legal movements in the United States reflect the determination of Syrians in exile to achieve justice and hold accountable those responsible for violations, confirming the important role of the
April 19, 2025, 12:49 am

In Washington... Syrian Community Takes Legal Action Against Damascus Foreign Minister

أسعد الشيباني

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the Syrian community in Washington, led by secular and Christian American figures of Syrian origin, intends to take legal action by submitting an official report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation against the Syrian Foreign Minister, who is expected to visit the United States in the coming days.

Simultaneously, a team of lawyers is preparing lawsuits against the Interim Transitional President Ahmed Al-Shara and several symbols of his government, primarily Anas Al-Khatib and Asaad Al-Shibani, on the background of violations committed in the Syrian coast.

These legal movements come based on documents and evidence collected about the involvement of the mentioned officials in human rights violations, where lawyers benefit from American laws that allow the prosecution of perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity regardless of where they were committed.

The legal strategy of the Syrian community includes taking advantage of the Foreign Minister's anticipated visit to American territory to activate legal procedures against him, which may include requesting to prevent him from entering the country or arresting him upon arrival, based on files of violations attributed to him.

This step is part of broader efforts by Syrian and global human rights organizations to hold accountable those responsible for violations in Syria, and to invest in international legal mechanisms in light of the difficulty of achieving justice inside the country in the current phase.

Observers believe that such movements highlight the importance of adopting a consensual constitution in future Syria, ensuring the independence of the judiciary and enabling it to hold accountable all those responsible for human rights violations, away from the centralized governance system that allowed the concentration of power and impunity for those involved.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.