Top French court upholds some of Assad’s legal protections, but permits future war crime warrants
PBS NewsHour2 days
French Court Cancels Assad Warrant, Upholds State Immunity
Above: A poster of Bashar al-Assad lies on the ground in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Image copyright: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
The Spin
Government-critical narrative
The ruling is a devastating blow to justice and accountability for war crimes victims. This decision essentially gives dictators a free pass to commit atrocities while in power, knowing they'll enjoy complete immunity. The court missed a crucial opportunity to set a precedent that could have deterred future war criminals and provided justice for the thousands killed in chemical attacks.
Pro-government narrative
The court correctly applied established international law that protects heads of state from foreign prosecution while in office, thereby maintaining diplomatic stability and upholding principles of sovereignty. The ruling still allows for future prosecution now that Assad is out of power, and establishes important precedent for pursuing other high-ranking officials currently serving in governments worldwide.