Should We Call for Criminal Accountability During Ongoing Conflicts?

This article examines the rationale and significance of calls for criminal accountability for international crimes committed during the ongoing Syrian civil war, arguing that such calls are more effective and meaningful than those framed solely in human rights language. It highlights the limitations of prosecution amid the conflict and the paralysis of international mechanisms like the UN Security Council, while emphasizing that calls for accountability serve expressive functions—condemning perpetrators, acknowledging victims, and reinforcing shared human values. The article also addresses the question of who holds the authority to demand accountability, proposing that shared humanity provides a moral basis for such calls when state institutions are compromised. Despite challenges and limitations, including political obstacles and the ongoing conflict, the article concludes that calls for criminal accountability remain crucial symbolic acts that communicate societal condemnation and uphold moral standards.