Syrian National Arrested in Germany for Crimes Against Humanity
BERLIN, Aug 3 (Reuters) – A Syrian national accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes through torture and enslavement between 2012 and 2015 has been arrested in Germany, prosecutors said on Friday.
The suspect, named only as Ahmad H, was a leader of a so-called shabiha militia that assisted the government of President Bashar al-Assad in its deadly crackdown in the wake of a popular uprising in 2011, the prosecutors said.
Allegations of Crimes Against Humanity
The state-sponsored militia’s campaign of intimidation allegedly included arbitrary arrests, extortion, looting, forced labour and torture.
German prosecutors said in a statement that Ahmad H was responsible for several brutal beatings of civilians, as well as two incidents in 2012 and 2015 during which he forced detainees to work while under fire and without access to food and water.
Germany’s Role in Prosecuting War Criminals
Germany has taken a pioneering role in prosecuting Syrian war criminals under universal jurisdiction laws, which allow courts to prosecute crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.
Current Trial of Syrian Doctor
A Syrian doctor suspected of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners at military hospitals in Syria, is currently on trial in Frankfurt – the country’s latest case over alleged state-backed torture in Syria’s conflict.
The Assad government denies accusations of having tortured prisoners.
Reporting by Friederike Heine; Editing by Rachel More and Jonathan Oatis
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator: Number of prosecutions and convictions for crimes against humanity and war crimes |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor | Indicator: Number of cases of forced labor and modern slavery prosecuted |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Number of prosecutions and convictions for crimes against humanity and war crimes (related to Target 16.3)
- Indicator: Number of cases of forced labor and modern slavery prosecuted (related to Target 8.7)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
---|---|---|
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator: Number of prosecutions and convictions for crimes against humanity and war crimes |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor | Indicator: Number of cases of forced labor and modern slavery prosecuted |
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Source: reuters.com
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