Haneen Ghali

International Criminal Law. Currently ICC @IntlCrimCourt. @LeidenLaw | Sorbonne alumna. Syrian.

[Margaret Satterthwaite @SRjudgeslawyers]

🇸🇾Now public: my letter to the Government of Syria @SyPresidency expressing serious concerns about the legal and institutional framework governing the judiciary, including appointments and discipline, the composition and operation of the Supreme Judicial Council and Supreme Constitutional Court, the independence of the Bar, and effective judicial oversight of detention.

Read the full letter:
https://t.co/zelNCVm07V

The information received by my mandate raises concerns that executive influence over judicial appointments, careers and administration, as well as reported interference by non-judicial actors in judicial and prosecutorial judicial decision-making, may undermine the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. I am also concerned by reports of retaliation against judges and inadequate institutional safeguards for lawyers and their professional associations.

Judicial independence requires transparent, merit-based appointments and safeguards protecting judges and lawyers from improper influence, interference and retaliation.

I will continue to follow the situation in Syria, and I welcome opportunities for engagement on these important issues.

[Paivi Kaukoranta @PASPKaukoranta]

عقد الدورة الخامسة والعشرين لجمعية الدول الأطراف في لاهاي

[Tom Berendsen @ministerBZ]

International justice needs an independent and strong @IntlCrimCourt. With ministers from across the world, we reaffirmed our support for the Court. Those responsible for the gravest international crimes must be held to account. 1/2

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

@SoccerMouaz @MousaAlomar @syrianetf Seriously? @SoccerMouaz

[UN Human Rights Council @UN_HRC]

Accountability for perpetrators of violations, without exception, is essential for reconciliation, trust & lasting peace in #Syria, @UNCoISyria's Fionnuala Ní Aoláin told the @UN Human Rights Council.

"The centrality of due process & fair trials remains vital," she said.

#HRC63

[Sabrina Dallafior @OPCW_DG]

On the anniversary of the 2013 chemical weapons attack in #Ghouta, my thoughts are with the victims and survivors, their families, and all those who have suffered from chemical weapons use in #Syria and beyond.

Their suffering is a stark reminder of why we must never take the global norm against chemical weapons for granted.

In my meeting with @MhdKatoub this week, we discussed the work ahead. Recent progress, including the discovery of previously undeclared chemical munitions, shows how much remains to be done but also what determined cooperation can achieve.

As Director-General, I am committed to working with Syria and all @OPCW Member States to ensure that chemical weapons can never again cause such suffering.

Full statement: https://t.co/MamFjmRytA

[Tom Berendsen @ministerBZ]

Pleased to have spoken with @IntlCrimCourt President Judge Tomoko Akane. I commend her leadership and value our close cooperation. As host nation and State Party, the Netherlands stands firmly behind the ICC and its vital work for international justice.

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

A dream: International Criminal Tribunal for Syria

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

A lot of pride but also disappointment. The dictator and his henchmen sentenced in the name of the Syrian people. But symbolism can't substitute for justice. A trial plagued by due process violations is theatre. Syrians deserve accountability that meets the highest standards.

[الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا @Sana__gov]

محكمة الجنايات الرابعة بدمشق تحكم على المجرم عاطف نجيب بالإعدام.

#سانا

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

If only there were an international treaty the Judge could draw upon clearly defining war crimes and crimes against humanity, ratified by 125 states and widely incorporated into domestic systems for the prosecution of international crimes… aka the Rome Statute

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

This is particularly interesting given that Syria is traditionally understood as a dualist system and has not enacted any legislation criminalising international crimes. The judge made reference to: The ICCPR, the CAT, UNCRC, the Geneva Conventions & customary nature of CAH (?)

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

In addition to invoking Article 12, the judge referred to the principle of the “unity of domestic and international law” stating that: “international law is adopted as a complementary and interpretative framework supporting national legislation” in this case

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

In addition to invoking Article 12, the judge referred to the principle of the “unity of domestic and international law” stating that: “international law is adopted as a complementary and interpretative framework supporting national legislation” in this case

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

Significant moment in the first Syrian criminal trial against a former Assad regime official. While reading the charges, the judge stated that the acts attributed to the defendant are characterised not merely as ordinary crimes, but as serious violations IHRL & war crimes/ CAH:

[أرشيف الثورة السورية Syrian Revolution Archive @syrevarch]

قاضي محكمة الجنايات الرابعة يوجه مطالعة النيابة والتهم المنسوبة لعاطف نجيب

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

This appears to be the first application of Art. 12 of the March 2025 Constitutional Declaration by a Syrian court in a criminal case linked to the former regime. Art. 12 incorporates IHR/ freedoms in treaties ratified by Syria as “an integral part” of the Declaration.

[European Parliament @Europarl_EN]

Sex is only sex when consent is freely given, informed, and revocable at any time.

Everything else is rape.

Parliament is once again pushing for an EU-wide definition of rape centred on the absence of consent.

[Fared Al Mahlool | فريد المحلول @FARED_ALHOR]

Women's police in the Syrian Ministry of Interior.

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

Le jihadiste français Sabri Essid condamné à la réclusion criminelle à perpétuité pour sa participation au génocide des Yézidis – franceinfo https://t.co/8MPst5M3oc via @franceinfo

[Zaina Erhaim 🪬 @ZainaErhaim]

The presence of only 1 woman in the meeting between media professionals/activists with #Syria president is not the biggest problem I see, here is why:

[CBS News @CBSNews]

Jeffrey Epstein and Tom Barrack's relationship continued even after Barrack became a prolific fundraiser for President Trump's 2016 campaign. https://t.co/hu5lGz3p9y

[Haneen Ghali @HaneenGhali]

Encouraging to see dialogue between Syria and the International Criminal Court. Engagement with the Rome Statute system is vital to advancing accountability and reinforcing rule of law in Syria

[وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين السورية @syrianmofaex]

اجتمع وزير الخارجية والمغتربين السيد أسعد حسن الشيباني مع رئيسة المحكمة الجنائية الدولية السيدة توموكو أكاني، حيث تناولا ملفات العدالة الانتقالية في سوريا ومحاسبة مرتكبي جرائم الحرب وضمان حقوق الضحايا، وذلك على هامش أعمال مؤتمر ميونيخ للأمن.