Final Statement of the Caesar Files Conference in Paris

Final Statement of the Caesar Files Conference in Paris

Caesar Files for Justice extends its sincere gratitude for the strong attendance at the event:
“Witnesses of Justice: Pursuing Accountability and Justice in Syria – What Next?”
held on May 28, hosted by the City of Paris. We are honored and proud to have had this opportunity, for the first time, to explain how the Caesar Files team was formed in 2011, our many years of working in secrecy, and our vision for the future.

What is known as the “Caesar Files” is a fundamental element of our work, but it is also part of a broader and comprehensive mandate that the Caesar Files for Justice team is dedicated to fulfilling. We are a diverse group of individuals, many of whom remain unnamed to this day, who have invested significant time and effort, often anonymously and under great personal risk, to advance justice and accountability in Syria.

For years, we worked without any funding, preserving the independence and integrity of our mission. We are now moving toward institutionalizing our structure to ensure the long-term sustainability of our work, reaffirming our continued commitment to defending the rights of Syrians and strengthening the role of civil society in the pursuit of justice.

In this new context, following the retrospective departure of Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024, a crucial opening has emerged, bringing renewed hope for the launch of a transitional justice process in Syria that ensures accountability and justice for the gross human rights violations and crimes committed under the former regime and by all parties to the conflict.
We believe that civil society, including the Caesar Files for Justice team, must draw upon its accumulated years of expertise in justice and accountability to play a key role in shaping the future of transitional justice.

We hope that this effort will involve cooperation with a government that sees justice not only as a retrospective process, but as the foundation of a just future. A future that recognizes victims’ suffering, rebuilds trust, repairs the social fabric of the country, and ensures that abuses can never occur again. Transitional justice in Syria must be shaped by Syrians and for Syrians, while meaningful and complementary international support remains essential for achieving our shared goals.

We reaffirm that we have always been, and will continue to be, genuinely inclusive. Our mandate will remain rooted in and reflective of the experiences and demands of all segments of Syrian society, especially survivors, families of the disappeared, and civil society actors. The pursuit of justice in this transitional phase is a shared responsibility, and we are all witnesses and partners in achieving this goal.

Embodying this spirit of shared responsibility, the conference was honored by the presence and participation of a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, human rights defenders, legal experts, political representatives, and policymakers, who joined together to discuss the future of justice and accountability in Syria.

On behalf of the Mayor of Paris, Ms. Anne Hidalgo, Deputy Mayor Mr. Jean-Luc Romero-Michel presented the Grand Medal of Paris to members of the Caesar Files for Justice team in recognition of their long-standing work and dedication:

• Mr. Usama Uthman, Founder of the team and Executive Director of CF4J
• Mr. Farid Al-Mazhan (“Caesar”), the key witness behind the Caesar Files
• Mr. Mashaal Hamoud, CF4J Board Member
• Mr. Mohammad Hasan, CF4J Board Member
• Mr. Ayman and Mr. Ammar
• Mrs. Khawla and Mr. Issa

The Caesar Files for Justice team was also proud to honor a number of individuals who supported its mission during critical moments and stood by Syria when many others stepped back. As a gesture of gratitude and appreciation, the team presented symbolic gifts to acknowledge their support.

There is still a long road ahead. But any vision for the future of Syria must be grounded in fair justice for the past, and move forward toward an accountable future that includes the voices of all Syrians.