Documenting Terror in Syria: What is the Impact of Photos?

PSIA is honored to host the first-ever exhibition of the Caesar photos in France: Inside Syrian Regime's Prisons (27 to 31 March) and organize a panel discussion on Documenting Terror in Syria: What is the Impact of Photos? (29 March).

Prisons have played a key role in maintaining the al-Assad regime in Syria. Since 2011, it is estimated that over 200 000 people have suffered arbitrary detention and experienced torture in these prisons, resulting in tens of thousands of extrajudiciary executions.

In 2014, a former official photographer and anonymous defector “Caesar” leaked some 55 000 pictures, which have been of crucial importance to fight a culture of impunity. These photos were shown to the United Nations Security Council with the objective of prosecuting the Syrian regime for crimes against humanity.

This roundtable will reflect on the power of images and their role in fighting for justice in Syria and beyond. Based on their experience as human rights defenders and legal experts, the speakers will discuss the impact of images in shaping public, judicial and political discourses in times of conflict. The event will also explore the conditions under which to rebuild societies torn by violence and whether there can ever be peace without justice.

Welcome Remarks by Arancha Gonzalez, Dean of PSIA

Introduction and moderation by Céline Cantat, lecturer, PSIA

Guest speakers: 

• Clémence Bectarte, Lawyer, Coordinator of FIDH's Litigation Action Group
• Ziad Majed, Political Scientist and Elliott E. Burdette Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, the American University of Paris
• Mouaz Moustafa, Executive Director, Syrian Emergency Task Force

Concluding remarks by Antoine Bernard, Director, Advocacy & Assistance, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Co-Scientific Advisor, PSIA Master on Human Rights and Humanitarian Action