Terror in Syria: First Ever Exhibition of the Caesar Photos

Sciences Po was honored to host the first-ever exhibition of the Caesar photos in France: Inside Syrian Regime's Prisons (27 to 31 March) and organise 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.

Watch on Instagram the strong video testimony of Omar Alshogre, Syrian human rights defender and former political prisoner:

The roundtable reflected 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 discussed the impact of images in shaping public, judicial and political discourses in times of conflict. The event also explored the conditions under which to rebuild societies torn by violence and whether there can ever be peace without justice.