Event information

7 November 2018, 17:30-19:00
Register start 15 October 2018
Register end 6 November 2018

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Forced Displacement and Demographic Engineering in Syria

Event

Homs (Syria), Homs. Destroyed buildings. Homs (Syria), Homs. Destroyed buildings.
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In the context of the 2018 Geneva Peace Week and in partnership with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), this event will address forced displacement and demographic engineering in Syria.

On this occasion, a high-level panel composed of international experts, as well as Syrian civil society actors, will discuss two major issues:

  • The systematic patterns of forced displacement and legislative and policy frameworks demonstrating demographic engineering in Syria, with a view to assessing their compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law
  • Pitfalls and challenges in any upcoming reconstruction and return plan, with a view to suggesting recommendations to the international community, in light of past experience in other countries.

Opening remarks

  • Natacha Bracq, IBAHRI Programme Lawyer
  • Marco Sassòli, Director, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Moderator

  • Barbara McCallin, Senior expert on forced displacement, housing, land and property

Panelists

  • Emma Beals, Independent journalist and analyst, European Institute of Peace
  • Toby Cadman, UK Barrister, Guernica 37
  • Ibrahim Olabi, Executive Director, Syrian Legal Development Programme (SLDP)
  • Marco Sassòli, Director, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
  • Amr Shannan, Syrian Expert
  • Rhodri Williams, Senior Legal Expert, International Legal Assistance Consortium

Registration

You need to register to attend this event via this online form.

Reception

The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

Conference report

The summary of the discussion and the main issues addressed are available in this conference report.

Video

Forced Displacement and Demographic Engineering in Syria

In the context of the 2018 Geneva Peace Week and in partnership with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). On this occasion, a high-level panel composed of international experts, as well as Syrian civil society actors, discussed  the systematic patterns of forced displacement and legislative and policy frameworks demonstrating demographic engineering in Syria as well as the pitfalls and challenges in any upcoming reconstruction and return plan.