Human rights activist Mansour al-Omari prepared a brief list of the crimes and violations committed by Hikmat al-Hajri's militias in Sweida Governorate, explaining that they may amount to "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Al-Omari emphasized that the issue is limited to "armed groups operating in Sweida and affiliated with Hikmat al-Hajri," emphasizing at the same time that "the people of Sweida, from the Druze sect, are an authentic and noble component of the Syrian people, and it is not permissible to accuse them of treason or incite against them."
He pointed out that crimes committed against civilians and Druze fighters have been documented and acknowledged by several parties, but the problem today lies in the denial, justification, or silence surrounding the violations committed by al-Hajri's militias, which al-Omari described as "a smokescreen that facilitates their continuation."
Potential Crimes
According to the list published by al-Omari, the violations include:
- Torture of civilians and fighters.
- Field executions.
- Mutilation of corpses and violation of the dignity of the dead.
- Kidnapping of civilians and taking hostages.
- Kidnapping of humanitarian workers.
- Imposing a siege on civilians and obstructing the delivery of medical and relief aid.
- Stealing humanitarian aid and using it for the war effort or distributing it based on loyalty.
- Persecution of opponents, activists, and journalists through killing, threats, and social isolation.
- Attacks on places of worship and cultural property.
- Ethnic cleansing of Bedouins, including killing, torture, forced displacement, and destruction of property.
Legal Accountability
Al-Omari emphasized that some of these crimes may not fall under applicable Syrian law, but their perpetrators can be prosecuted before international or European courts based on the principle of "command responsibility." This holds Hikmat al-Hajri himself responsible for the actions of his members, should evidence be available.
The human rights activist concluded by warning that "silence about or denial of these crimes does not exonerate their perpetrators, but rather perpetuates their continuation, and the consequences could be disastrous for Sweida and its people."
Zaman Al-Wasl
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