Action

For Justice

Our actions are guided by a commitment to justice, accountability, and sustainable development. Below, we highlight our core areas of focus and the steps we take to make a tangible impact.

Documentation

We understand the importance of thorough documentation in securing justice for victims of human rights abuses. Our team is committed to meticulously collecting, verifying, and organizing evidence to build robust case files. Through the collection of testimonies, physical evidence, official records, and expert analysis, we ensure that cases are solidified for legal action. Our documentation process is designed to amplify the voices of those affected by violations, providing the foundation needed for accountability and long-term change.

Key focus areas

Enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention
Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including outrageous upon personal dignity
Extrajudicial killings and unlawful attacks against civilians and civilian objects
Violations of civil and political rights
Gender-based violence, including sexual violence and exploitation.
Use of child soldiers and other violations of child rights
Forced displacement and prevention of return
Housing, land and property violations
Use of prohibited arms
Breaches of the rights to education, health and a clean environment

On-the-Ground Documentation and Evidence Collection
A fundamental element of our methodology is the rigorous collection of evidence directly from the eye witnesses, which is vital in building credible and robust case files for the prosecution. Being on the ground allows our teams to document the details of each event with a level of precision that remote organizations might struggle to achieve. The proximity to affected communities allows us to gather first-hand accounts and evidence including photographs, video footage, and physical objects that have been directly linked to the crimes under investigation. This local presence enhances our ability to capture context-specific details, which are often essential for understanding the broader impact of violations. Furthermore, we have a deeper understanding of local customs, dialects, and cultural nuances, which enhances our ability to obtain accurate and reliable information in situations of multifaceted military operations with complex and grave repercussions for human rights.
Eye-Witness Testimonies
Our on-the-ground presence allows us to establish trust with local communities, enabling victims and witnesses to share their stories safely and confidentially. We provide secure, trauma-informed interviews to collect testimonies, ensuring that individuals are not at risk of retaliation. We prioritize anonymity and protection, and in collaboration with trusted local partners, we offer psychological support for those who may be traumatized by recounting their experiences. The local knowledge we possess gives us access to a wide range of sources, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive set of testimonies.
Chain of Command Mapping
We conduct in-depth research into the chain of command within armed groups, both military and militia, operating in Syria. By mapping hierarchical structures and identifying key individuals, we establish the lines of responsibility for war crimes. This involves gathering intelligence on the roles and actions of commanders, military leaders, and militia groups, linking their decisions to specific violations.

With our extensive network in Syria, we are able to map the complex chain of command within both military and militia groups. Our team uses its local connections to identify key individuals responsible for orchestrating, authorizing, or directly participating in war crimes. By analyzing the command structure, we establish direct links between the perpetrators and the crimes committed, a critical component of building a case for accountability. Our on-the-ground presence allows for continuous monitoring and updating of this chain of command as the situation evolves.
Corroboration through Local Networks and Partnerships
Our strong presence on the ground facilitates close cooperation with local NGOs, community leaders, and international partners, ensuring that the evidence we collect is corroborated by independent sources. We cross-check testimonies and other evidence with multiple local and international actors to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information. Our continuous engagement with local communities provides an added layer of verification and strengthens the credibility of the evidence.
Legal Analysis and Case Building
Once the evidence is gathered, our team of legal experts applies international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute, to analyze and categorize the violations. We use our proximity to the conflict zones to ensure that we understand the specific legal and cultural context of each case. This enables us to build well-founded legal cases that are tailored to the specifics of the Syrian conflict and its unique challenges. The combination of local knowledge and international legal expertise enhances the robustness of the case files.
Use of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Forensic Tools
To supplement on-the-ground evidence, we utilize open-source intelligence (OSINT) and advanced forensic tools, such as satellite imagery and digital evidence analysis. These tools allow us to independently verify the locations and scope of crimes, and they provide additional layers of evidence that strengthen our case files. Our on-the-ground presence allows us to seamlessly integrate these technical resources with the local evidence we collect, providing a comprehensive and multi-faceted case file.
Security and Protection of Victims and Witnesses
Ensuring the safety and confidentiality of victims and witnesses is a priority. Our staff, being embedded within the local communities, have a deep understanding of the security landscape, allowing us to take effective measures to protect those who share critical information. We work closely with trusted local and international protection networks to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken, including relocation and legal aid, if needed.
Collaboration with International Legal Bodies
Our methodology includes building strong partnerships with international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other national and regional courts. By coordinating with legal experts and prosecutors, we ensure that the cases we develop are aligned with international standards of justice. Our on-the-ground presence allows us to provide real-time updates and insights into the evolving situation in Syria, enhancing the ability of international bodies to pursue timely prosecutions.
Advocacy and Public Reporting
In addition to building case files for prosecution, we actively advocate for justice by publishing reports, briefing international stakeholders, and raising awareness about the ongoing war crimes in Syria. Our close connection to local communities and the conflict zones enables us to offer unique, on-the-ground perspectives that enrich global discussions on Syria. By sharing our findings, we aim to put pressure on governments and international bodies to take action and hold perpetrators accountable.
Continuous Monitoring and Updating
Given the fluid and ongoing nature of the conflict in Syria, our NGO maintains a continuous presence in the region to monitor developments and collect new evidence. As the situation changes, we update case files with the latest information, ensuring that our legal strategies remain relevant and responsive to new crimes and emerging perpetrators.

Through this methodology, our NGO contributes to the prosecution of war crimes in Syria, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and that justice is served for the victims of these atrocities.

Promoting Environmental Protection, Health, and Education Services

The environmental consequences of armed conflict are often overlooked amidst the immediate humanitarian concerns. By documenting the destruction of ecosystems, wildlife, natural resources, and vital infrastructure (such as water sources and agricultural land), we seek to highlight the long-term environmental impact of the conflict and its subsequent effects on public health. Our advocacy campaigns promote environmental protection, focusing on sustainable practices that safeguard ecosystems and address climate change. In parallel, we advocate for access to quality healthcare and education for all, especially marginalized, displaced and vulnerable populations.

We support local grassroots initiatives that improve access to health and education, and protect natural resources, ensuring a better quality of life for current and future generations.

Pursuit of peace through accountability

Holding perpetrators of human rights violations accountable is at the heart of our mission. We work to ensure that those responsible for abuses are brought to justice, whether through national courts, international tribunals, or other legal mechanisms. By advocating for legal action, supporting victims and witnesses in their pursuit of justice, and pushing for stronger legal frameworks, we strive to eliminate impunity and ensure that accountability becomes the norm, not the exception.

We consider the pursuit of accountability a cornerstone of positive peace because it addresses past ill-doings, breaks the cycle of impunity, fosters reconciliation, and creates a more just and equitable environment where everyone’s rights are respected. This not only supports healing and social cohesion but also provides the foundation for a stable and sustainable peace.

Advancing Housing, Land, and Property Rights

We conduct community surveys on Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights, with a special focus on women in areas where military control and power dynamics have been shifting. We work to influence policies to ensure displaced families have legal access to their homes, land and property, safeguarding their rights in contexts of conflict, displacement, and post-conflict recovery.

We believe that an understanding of historical, post-war and current HLP issues will enable effective planning for a future restitution framework. In a context where the HLP custodianship is closely associated with a community's identity, religion, and social customs, we advocate for a tailored multi-level approach that supports community awareness raising campaigns related to a variety of HLP procedures, optimizes available resources, helps alleviate discriminations of women, and places HLP at the core of transitional justice and peace processes.