Photos captured by a Syrian military police officer known as “Caesar” have become pivotal evidence in legal actions against the Assad regime, documenting systemic torture and deaths in detention centers. These images, known as the Caesar files, expose significant human rights violations and are expected to play a crucial role in transitional justice if Syria undergoes political changes.
Stephen J. Rapp, former US ambassador for war crimes, described the Assad regime as surviving through terror, targeting peaceful protesters with severe repression since 2011. The regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians also violated international law. Despite international pressure, Assad’s forces continued deploying toxic agents.
Caesar, a former regime soldier, documented the brutal deaths of detainees between 2011 and 2013, capturing thousands of images of torture, starvation, and disease. After fleeing Syria, Caesar smuggled around 55,000 photographs, revealing extensive human rights violations. These photos have been authenticated and are being used in international trials.
However, the international response has been slow, with Russia and China vetoing actions at the UN. Despite this, Rapp remains optimistic that accountability will come, particularly when regimes face international pressure or collapse. He stressed the importance of transitional justice processes for accountability and reconciliation.
