In 2019, the “Caesar Act” was passed against the Syrian regime, marking a significant step toward holding the regime accountable for its crimes against detainees and its brutal violations against the Syrian people. The law dealt a severe blow to the regime, draining its economic resources and isolating it from the international community, pushing it to the brink of collapse.
The “Caesar Act” was named after two individuals, one of whom was known by the alias “Caesar,” a pseudonym for a former Syrian military photographer. Caesar defected from Assad’s regime in 2014 and leaked 55,000 photos of 11,000 prisoners who had been killed under torture. He worked alongside another individual known by the pseudonym “Sami.” These images were displayed in U.S. Senate chambers, sparking global outrage at the time.
In an exclusive interview with “Asharq Al-Awsat” in Paris, Sami revealed his true name and identity as Osama Othman, a Syrian human rights activist and the current chairman of the “Caesar Files Group” organization. Before the Syrian revolution in 2011, he was a civil engineer. His name became associated with Caesar in smuggling photos of victims of torture in Syrian prisons.
After the swift fall of the Syrian regime, many of its forces and officers fled abroad. Bashar al-Assad settled in Moscow, while some officers and elements of the regime remained hidden within Syria as they could not escape. The new government is striving to locate them, especially those accused of war crimes and listed on international terrorism watchlists. Additionally, efforts are underway to communicate with countries harboring these individuals to secure their extradition to the new authorities.
In the past, the “Caesar Act” represented hope for Syrians in achieving justice and holding perpetrators of violations accountable. However, the circumstances have changed, and the regime is no longer in power. Today, the law has become an obstacle to peace and stability. It has become a burden on the Syrian people, hindering efforts for reconstruction and the return of refugees. Therefore, we must raise our voices to demand its repeal to pave the way for building a brighter future.
Today, Syria has risen from the rubble; prisons have been closed, detainees have been released, and refugees are gradually returning to their homeland. Camps are shutting their doors, signaling the end of a long chapter of suffering. Efforts to search for the remains of victims in mass graves have begun and the country is moving confidently toward a hopeful future.
Syria is not just a nation coming back to life but a country aspiring to be an active part of the free world, welcoming everyone willing to share its new journey. While appreciating all who supported the Syrian people, we call for lifting sanctions to initiate a genuine beginning for rebuilding the homeland.
