The International Center of Transitional Justice (ICTJ), the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of Germany to the European Union, and The Bridges of Truth project have co-organized a side event during the Brussels Conference to highlight the hard realities with which Syrians both in country and abroad continue to grapple, and specifically the potential harm that victims of human rights and humanitarian law violations face if they were to return to Syria. These include arrest and arbitrary detention and re-traumatization, compounded by the lack of psychosocial support in the country.
We are pleased to invite you to the screening of ''Tomorrow We Continue,'' a short, animated documentary produced by ICTJ and its Syrian partner organizations that follows a young mother of two who husband was detained and disappeared by security forces in Syria some years ago.
Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion focused on transitional justice processes, the ongoing situation in Syria and its neighboring countries, and the critical importance of mental health and psychological support for refugees. The proposed panel will include international actors and Syrian civil society organization representatives who are working on the issue of return and the challenges it poses to Syrians.
Opening Remarks:
- Gijs Gerlag, Special Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Syria
- Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, Representative to the Political and Security Committee, Permanent
Representation of Germany to the European Union
- Nousha Kabawat, ICTJ's Head of Syria Program
Moderator:
Hany Megally, Member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and Deputy Director at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation
Speakers:
- Roula Baghdadi, Executive Director of Dawlaty
- Chaghaf Howayek, Senior Researcher and Program Lead at Kiron
- Elena Naughton, Senior Expert at ICTJ
- Khouloud Helmi, Member of the Families for
Freedom
- Mazen Darwich, Founder and Director of the
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression
The event will take place on April 29 from 6 to 8 pm at
Atelier 29, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium. A reception
with food and beverages will conclude the event. Syrian art will also be on
display.
About Bridges of Truth
Bridges of Truth comprises a coalition of civil society organizations
dedicated to advocating for comprehensive justice for the numerous victims of
conflict and oppression in Syria. Our mission is to provide support to these
victims, amplify their voices, and share their untold stories with the global
community. We firmly believe that genuine peace in Syria can only be achieved
through the complete restoration of the rights of those detained or disappeared
and their families. The participating organizations in this endeavor include
Badael, the Center for Civil Society and Democracy, Dawlaty, Lawyers and
Doctors for Human Rights, the Syrian Institute of Justice and Accountability,
the Day After, and the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.
Please note: Your registration is not confirmed for the event until you
receive a separate email confirmation.
Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed during these events reflect
solely those of the speakers and do not constitute endorsement by the European
Union.
