Syria Watch

VDC: Job Vacancy

Violations Documentation Center in Syria – VDC

Dear all, VDC is looking for an Executive Director, please see the Terms of Reference:

The Executive Director (ED) is fully responsible for running the VDC on the basis of an annual plan approved by the Board of Directors. The ED responsible in front of the Board of Directors of the VDC and presents them with an annual report on the performance, achievements and challenges that the VDC faces. He/she is responsible for the daily management of the VDC, and for representing it externally with various stakeholders and the media.

 Responsibilities of the ED:

Design, implement and report on the progress of the VDC’s annual work plan;
Manage VDC staff, ensure smooth inter-department coordination.
More specifically, working under direct guidance from the Board on issues related to overall strategy and mandate, the ED will:
Set weekly, monthly and quarterly objectives that will ensure the implementation of the annual plan in close consultation with relevant sections chiefs;
Hold weekly meetings with Section Chiefs, to plan weekly operations of the VDC and ensure progress on set objectives;
Be responsible for the delivery of objectives as planned. Alternatively, and in consultation with the Board and with Section Chiefs, the ED might deviate from the plan in order to respond to outstanding developments that need immediate reaction/reporting from the VDC;
Represent the VDC at various forums and as requested by the Board, be able to defend the VDC’s mandate and budget, be able to account for changes in the plans that may have repercussions on the established budget;
Help Section Chiefs solve internal disagreements related to the running of the VDC operations:
Gradually take on the responsibility of meeting and briefing donors and potential donors on the VDC activities and budget proposals:
Liaise with the Board, on behalf of the VDC, on all issues related to the implementation of objectives and changes in plans.

 Profile:

Syrian national;
Established experience (10 years minimum) in the field of rights and advocacy;
Established experience (minimum7 years) of progressive responsibility of managing a team;
Ability to clearly and eloquently articulate in writing and verbally communication (public and internal) related to the VDC, human rights, formal positions that the VDC’s takes on specific developments;
Excellent command of Arabic and English, French is a plus;
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills to allow for external representation and internal management;
While he/she might not be a jurist by profession or training, the ED is well versed generally in the human rights and IHL discourse, closely follows developments in these two fields, is comfortable referring to their principles/invoking them when looking at developments in and around Syria.

To apply: please email your CV and motivation letter to:

Syria Justice and Accountability Centre: UNSC Passes Historic Resolution but Overlooks Justice

UNSC

United Nations Security Council

August 7, 2015

Earlier today, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2235 establishing a Joint Investigative Mechanism to look into the use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, during the Syrian conflict. Following months of negotiations between the United States and Russia, this Resolution is the first UN Security Council mandate to assign blame for the violation of international law in Syria. According to a statement issuedby the United Nations, “Holding the perpetrators of the toxic chemical attacks accountable may hopefully alleviate the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people.”

Today’s Resolution is the second regarding chemical weapon use in Syria. The first was Resolution 2118 passed last summer, in which the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was mandated with the safe destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Since then, however, reports of the indiscriminate use of chlorine gas against civilians has remained widespread. Resolution 2235 calls on Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to work with the Director-General of the OPCW to establish a Joint Investigative Mechanism, which will then regularly report to the UN Security Council and determine the individuals and groups responsible.

The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC) welcomes this long overdue Resolution, but expresses concern that the Resolution’s language does not call for accountability in strong enough terms. A commitment to refer the case to the International Criminal Court or to establish a tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators would have sent a much stronger signal that the international community stands firmly on the side of the victims.

For more information and to provide feedback, please email SJAC at info@syriaaccountability.org.

The Robert H. Jackson Center- Industrialized Killing: Accountability and Justice for Syria

Industrialized Killing: Accountability and Justice for Syria

July 21, 2015

Chautauqua Institution will host David M. Crane, Robert H. Jackson Center Board Chair and the former Chief Prosecutor for Special Court for Sierra Leone David Crane,  for a lecture on industrialized killing and the Syrian Crisis. The Lecture will take place Tuesday July 21st, 2015 3:30 p.m. at the Hall of Christ, Chautauqua Institution.

David M. Crane, former Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone (2002-2005) has worked to gain and provide support to Syria. In conjunction with Syracuse University College of Law students, Crane heads the Syrian Accountability Project (SAP). Crane and SAP work with several international organizations to provide impartial analysis of open source materials. The goal of these collaborations is to fairly prosecute President al-Assad, his subordinates, and members of the Syrian Opposition for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of the Syrian Penal Law.

Having David Crane on the Board at the Jackson Center has been a tremendous success.  So, we wanted to gain some insight into what his lecture might entail.  Below are introductory questions concerning Crane’s upcoming lecture “Industrialized Killing: Accountability and Justice for Syria”

FREE SYRIAN ARMY SOLDIER WALKING AMONG RUBBLE IN ALEPPO DURING THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR, 2012
CREDIT: VOICE OF AMERICA NEWS: SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM ALEPPO, SYRIA

 

Q: Why did you decide to title your lecture “Industrialized Killing”?

A: To raise awareness of the horror that is taking place in Syria. 

 

 

Q: What first interested you in finding justice for Syria?

A: The beast of impunity must be faced down wherever it raises its ugly head.  This is the 21st Century…mankind cannot turn its head and look away.

 

 

Q: What in your career led you to believe you could do something for the Syrian people?

A: As the founding Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone I developed a unique expertise to create a justice mechanism for oppressed peoples.

 

 

Q: How did you arrive at the idea for the Syrian Accountability Project (SAP) at SU Law?

A: Initially a seminar the project grew into an internationally recognized justice organization based on the techniques we used in successfully prosecuting a head of state and the leadership of the warring factions in West Africa.

 

 

Q: What are your goals for SAP?

A: Our goals are to develop a trial package for a future local, regional or international prosecutor to use in seeking justice for the Syrian people.

 

 

Q: How or where do you envision judicial action for Syria?  How can we avoid westernized justice once a Court is established?

A: Be aware that a justice mechanism is for and about the victims…the people of Syria.

 

 

Q: How do you think the IS problem affects the likelihood of justice in Syria?

A: The IS phenomenon complicates the entire process and may even permanently derail a justice mechanism, but that should not stop of us from our project.

 

 

Q: Does IS change the likelihood of President Assad stepping down?

A: I don’t see President Assad stepping down.  He may survive this.

 

 

Q: Do you have an opinion on the White House’s shift from demanding Assad’s removal to appeasing the Russians, focusing on IS, and stepping away from the Syrian Civil War for the time being?

A: The reality now is that Syria has become a sideshow in a larger geopolitical event and the administration has to deal with what is not what they would like it to be.

 

 

Q: Should the US be heavily involved in bringing the Syrian Conflict to a close, should the effort be global, or should the region be tasked with solving the issue?

A: The US is and has to be involved in this even though it is a reluctant participant.  The EU and the Arab States have to step up as well.