Experts Discuss Legal and Security Challenges Related to the Detention of ISIS Members in North-East Syria and their Judgment under International and National Law

Fighters in Syria Fighters in Syria

28 May 2019

At an expert meeting co-organized by the Geneva Academy and the Swiss NGO Fight for Humanity experts discussed the detention and judgment of ISIS members, including foreign fighters and their families, in North-East Syria.

A Timely Discussion

In North East Syria, the Self-Administration established in 2014 has increasingly extended its area of administration according to the military advancement of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and controls, today, more than 30 percent of the Syrian territory. The SDF is currently detaining over 2,000 ISIS members from approximately 46 different nationalities, in addition to their families, in detention centres and camps in various locations in North-East Syria.

Academics and experts from various concerned countries considered the legal issues arising from the detention of ISIS members and their families, in particular, non-Syrian nationals, by the SDF and the North-East Syria Self-Administration, including their transfer, release, continued detention or trial.

‘International security and countering violent extremism experts also analysed the situation from a security point of view to minimize the risk for future security threats’ underlines Dr Annyssa Bellal, Senior Research Fellow and Strategic Adviser on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at the Geneva Academy.

‘As different options are on the table regarding the prosecution of ISIS members currently detained in Syria, this expert discussion allowed to outline all the legal issues, national and international, that arise in this context’ underlines Professor Marco Sassòli, Director of the Geneva Academy.

Fight For Humanity published a report shortly after the meeting, and issued 10 corresponding recommendations.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

GHRP in Davos News

AI and Human Rights in the Intelligent Age: GHRP in Davos

3 February 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to key discussions on AI, human rights, and sustainable digital governance at the World Economic Forum 2025.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

The Digitalization of Armed Conflict

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more