Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Syria today, Thursday, to take measures to stop torture as part of emergency measures in a case brought by the Netherlands and Canada against Damascus. The ICJ President, Joan Donoghue, stated: "Syria must take all measures within its power to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment and ensure that its officials or others under its control do not commit acts of torture."
The court's panel of 15 judges also ordered Damascus to ensure the preservation of any potential evidence regarding allegations of torture, including medical reports and death records. Syria did not attend the court hearings and did not appear to hear the ruling. This case represents the first time an international court has considered allegations of violations in Syria during 12 years of conflict.
The Netherlands and Canada filed the case in the ICJ in June, claiming that Syria violates the United Nations Convention Against Torture by mistreating tens of thousands of people, many of whom are present in Syria's vast detention system. The Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad reject accusations of torture and extrajudicial killings in a war that the UN states has claimed the lives of tens of thousands.
The ICJ has the authority to issue emergency orders to ensure that a situation does not deteriorate during the several years the court typically takes to rule on the main case. However, it does not have the authority to enforce its rulings. A date for hearings in the main case has not yet been set.
