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Damascus on Saturday condemned the Netherlands’ intention to prosecute Syrian officials under international law for “flagrant human rights violations,” accusing them of being subordinate to the United States, according to the official Syrian news agency (SANA).
SANA quoted a source from the Syrian Foreign Ministry as saying: “Once again, the Dutch government, which has accepted the role of the subservient subordinate of the United States of America, insists on using the International Court of Justice in The Hague to serve to the agendas of his American master. “
The source considered that the decision of the Netherlands is a “flagrant violation of its obligations and commitments as the host country of this international organization and its system”, accusing it of supporting “armed organizations” in Syria.
He said the Syrian government “reserves the right to prosecute anyone involved in supporting terrorism in Syria.”
On Friday, the Netherlands announced that it intends to hold Syrian officials accountable, under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. She accused Damascus of committing “horrible crimes”, including “resorting to torture, chemical weapons and bombing of hospitals.”
The Netherlands said it asked Damascus, through a diplomatic note, to stop its violations of the agreement and enter into negotiations.
In the event that the two countries are unable to resolve the dispute between them, the case may be referred to arbitration, but in the event that an agreement cannot be reached, the Netherlands will file a claim in an international court, and it is The International Court of Justice in The Hague is likely to be the highest judicial organ of the United Nations.
The International Court of Justice is empowered to hear disputes between member states of the United Nations and violations of UN agreements.
Syria signed the United Nations Convention against Torture in 2004.
Over the past few years, government forces have regained, with the support of Russia and Iran, much of the Syrian territories that were controlled by opposition factions and jihadist organizations during the early years of the conflict.
