Legal Accountability in Frozen Conflicts: Lessons from Syria

Abstract This article reflects on the remarkable legal accountability efforts led by Syrian lawyers, activists, and survivors throughout the Syrian conflict, in the midst of an international landscape that failed to support – and perhaps even undermined – these efforts through lack of political will and jurisdictional hurdles. Despite limited resources and pathways, these individuals displayed unprecedented legal ingenuity which saw perpetrators imprisoned, international legal precedents challenged and overturned, and survivors included and empowered in ways that had previously been viewed as impossible during such protracted and frozen conflicts. This article provides an overview of this accountability landscape; highlights key contributions from leading Syrian lawyers, activists, and survivors; and discusses the shifting prospects for justice following the overthrow of the al-Assad regime in December 2024. It offers valuable insights into the research, perspectives, and lived experiences of those at the forefront of Syria’s legal accountability movement, and draws attention to important precedents that will reshape the legal landscape surrounding future frozen conflicts.