2021

All posts from 2021

The Barriers and Limitations of the Modern Approach to Recognizing Genocide in Syria: A Case Study of the Sieges of Eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta

by Anna Costa on April 13, 2021

Executive Summary

Can and should the Syrian conflict be defined as genocide? This policy paper outlines a new conceptual framework to define the concept of genocide. This new framework is based on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the different critiques it has received over the years. The framework gives an extended definition of the concept of genocide to fit the need of modern warfare. It is then applied it to the cases of the sieges of eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta.

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Anna CostaThe Barriers and Limitations of the Modern Approach to Recognizing Genocide in Syria: A Case Study of the Sieges of Eastern Aleppo and Eastern Ghouta

The Role of Local Community in the Reconstruction of Syrian Cultural Heritage

by Youssef Kanjou on March 8, 2021

Syria became one of the most important international archaeological fields in recent decades; by the early 21st century, Syria had accepted over one hundred archaeological missions in the country. Stability in Syria was one of the reasons which attracted numbers of well-known archaeological research institutes and universities. The government’s construction of the Tabqa, Teshreen, and Hassakeh dams along the Euphrates and Khabur Rivers also facilitated conditions for archaeological work in Syria. Numerous new discoveries at a large number of excavations made Syria one of the most archaeologically investigated countries in the world. Syrian authorities in 1997 declared Syria the ‘number one’ site for archaeological excavations and discoveries in the region due to both the number of archaeological missions within the country and to the relevance of their discoveries for historical knowledge (Bounni 1997:109, Gillot 2010:5).

Syrian heritage has suffered, as the Syrian people have suffered considerable damage during the conflict which began in 2011. Unfortunately, battles were severe in many of Syria’s archaeological sites, including those inscribed on the World Heritage list such as Aleppo, Palmyra and Bosra (Abdulkarim 2013). That has led to the destruction and loss of a part of Syria’s heritage, which is important not only to the history of the region, but also for the history of humanity.

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Youssef KanjouThe Role of Local Community in the Reconstruction of Syrian Cultural Heritage