CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2018
| Author | Costa, Anna Fernanda |
|---|---|
| Title | The Barriers and Limitations of the Modern Genocide Approach in Syria A Case Study of the Sieges of Eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta |
| Summary | After eight years of conflict it is necessary to start considering the future of Syria. The crimes that were committed, the legal value of them and what are the possible consequences should be considered to envision an effective reconciliation and reconstruction plan. This report looks at the possibility of framing specific events such as the Eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta sieges as genocides. This report explores the meaning of genocide in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the limitations, and the main criticisms. Finding that the concepts of groups and intent are restrictive. A new framework based on a sociologist perspective on genocide will be created. Following this, it will be argued that political groups should be included as a protected category. Leading to a definition of intent that not only includes the act of killing but that it should also include policies that aim at expulsion and limiting return. This framework will be applied to the cases of Aleppo and Ghouta. The possibility of religious and political opposition as being the target groups will then be considered, as well as the inhumane tactics of the regime such as using chemical weapons. Finally, it will examine the acts of evictions and policies such as Decree 66 and Article 10 that aim to prevent the safe return of certain Syrians. The report concludes that even though the sieges should be defined as genocide this will not happen due to the limitation of the law and the current political landscape. However, this should not prevent policy makers, national and international actors from treating these events for what they really are. It finally offers three policy options; that Bashar Al-Assad and allies are condemned for the crime of genocide, Regime actors and opposition actors are trialled as single individuals for war crimes, or the regime will win the conflict and the crimes committed by regime forces will not be condemned. The report will suggest the third option as the most likely, advising the actors involved in the peacebuilding process to take into consideration that genocide happened in order to secure sustainable peace. |
| Supervisor | Pareja, Pablo & Sitter, Nikolai |
| Department | School of Public Policy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/costa_anna.pdf |
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