The Netherlands and Canada are taking Syria to the World Court over torture claims, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said on Monday.
In their application, Canada and the Netherlands claim that "Syria has committed countless violations of International law, beginning at least in 2011," and asked for emergency measures to be taken to protect those at risk of being tortured, the ICJ, also known as the World Court, said in a statement.
"It is the Dutch government’s position that there is ample evidence demonstrating that Syria has committed serious human rights violations against Syrian citizens on a grand scale," the Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement. If it finds it has jurisdiction, the ICJ would be the first international court to be able to make a legal finding on the alleged state use of torture in Syria.
So far, there has been one conviction for the use of torture by a former Syrian state official in a landmark trial in Germany in January last year. The German case was filed under the country's universal jurisdiction laws, allowing its courts to prosecute crimes against humanity committed anywhere.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Canada, Netherlands take Syria to top UN court over torture allegationsSyria has never previously faced international courts over the civil war, which erupted after the regime's leader Bashar al Assad cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 2011 and killed more than 500,000 people.
Les mer »
Syria's Kurds to begin trials for IS detaineesThe Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria said it would begin trying thousands of suspected foreign Islamic State fighters who have been its custody for years, surprising diplomats working on the issue and prompting concern about due process.
Les mer »
Kouri Richins expected in court following new claim of 'no substantial evidence' in death of husbandThis morning, Kouri Richins, the Utah woman who is accused of killing her husband before authoring a book on grief is due in court after attorneys argued there is 'no substantial evidence to support the charges.'
Les mer »
Air conditioners and heat pumps: What to know before you buy in CanadaTips on thermostats, filters, installation and more
Les mer »
Canada official warns wildfires could last 'all summer'New and intensifying fires are forcing evacuation of thousands across Canada as it battles blazes that a provincial minister warns could last 'all summer'
Les mer »