On Thursday 24 November, MEPs called on the EU and its member states to consider the creation of a tribunal for war crimes in Syria, pending referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In the joint resolution of the ECR, EPP, ALDE, S&D and Greens/EFA groups (adopted by 506 votes in favour, 42 against and 42 abstentions), MEPs stated that they support sending war crimes in Syria to the ICC, and they underline the inability of the United Nations Security Council to deliberate on this matter. The EU and its member states should ensure that all those responsible for the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights are brought to justice "through appropriate, impartial international criminal justice mechanisms or national courts and through the application of the principle of universal jurisdiction", Parliament adds.
For the umpteenth time, MEPs condemn "in the strongest terms" the atrocities and widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed "by the Assad forces with the support of Russia and Iran", as well as by non-state, armed terrorist groups. Condemning also the attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the pursuit of different targets in Aleppo and the impossibility of channelling humanitarian aid to the people in need, MEPs call for an immediate halt to the bombing and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. They also call for unhindered and continuous humanitarian access. In Parliament's view, the EU should "consider all available options, including a no-fly zone over Aleppo city, to set out consequences for the most heinous human rights violations and abuses by all perpetrators if the atrocities and blunt disrespect of humanitarian law continues".
Fully supporting the recent diplomatic initiatives of High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini aimed at bringing the parties involved in the conflict back to the negotiating table, MEPs urge all parties involved in the conflict to resume and intensify political negotiations as soon as possible "in anticipation of a new and stable truce being established, which should include provisions ensuring transitional justice in post-conflict Syria". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)