Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019

To halt the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people, encourage a negotiated political settlement, and hold Syrian human rights abusers accountable for their crimes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Statement of policy. TITLE I—Additional actions in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria Sec. 101. Measures with respect to Central Bank of Syria. Sec. 102. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in certain transactions. Sec. 103. Strategy relating to areas of Syria in which civilians are subject to forced displacement. TITLE II—Amendments to Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 Sec. 201. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Syria or their family members. Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or technologies to Syria that are likely to be used to commit human rights abuses. TITLE III—Assistance for the people of Syria Sec. 301. Briefing on monitoring and evaluating of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and to the Syrian people. Sec. 302. Assessment of potential methods to enhance the protection of civilians. Sec. 303. Assistance to support entities taking actions relating to gathering evidence for investigations into war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria since March 2011. Sec. 304. Codification of certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized. Sec. 305. Briefing on strategy to facilitate humanitarian assistance. TITLE IV—General provisions Sec. 401. Suspension of sanctions. Sec. 402. Waivers and exemptions. Sec. 403. Implementation and regulatory authorities. Sec. 404. Cost limitation. Sec. 405. Authority to consolidate reports. Sec. 406. Rule of construction. Sec. 407. Sunset. 2. Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States that diplomatic and coercive economic means should be utilized to compel the government of Bashar al-Assad to halt its murderous attacks on the Syrian people and to support a transition to a government in Syria that respects the rule of law, human rights, and peaceful co-existence with its neighbors. I Additional actions in connection with the national emergency with respect to Syria 101. Measures with respect to Central Bank of Syria (a) Determination regarding Central Bank of Syria Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall determine, under section 5318A of title 31, United States Code, whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern. (b) Enhanced due diligence and reporting requirements If the Secretary of the Treasury determines under subsection (a) that reasonable grounds exist for concluding that the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary, in consultation with the Federal functional regulators (as defined in section 509 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6809 (c) Report required (1) In general Not later than 90 days after making a determination under subsection (a) with respect to whether the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes the reasons for the determination. (2) Form A report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. 102. Sanctions with respect to foreign persons that engage in certain transactions (a) Imposition of sanctions (1) In general On and after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (b) with respect to a foreign person if the President determines that the foreign person, on or after such date of enactment, knowingly engages in an activity described in paragraph (2). (2) Activities described A foreign person engages in an activity described in this paragraph if the foreign person— (A) knowingly provides significant financial, material, or technological support to, or knowingly engages in a significant transaction with— (i) the Government of Syria (including any entity owned or controlled by the Government of Syria) or a senior political figure of the Government of Syria; (ii) a foreign person that is a military contractor, mercenary, or a paramilitary force knowingly operating in a military capacity inside Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, or the Government of Iran; or (iii) a foreign person subject to sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (B) knowingly sells or provides significant goods, services, technology, information, or other support that significantly facilitates the maintenance or expansion of the Government of Syria's domestic production of natural gas, petroleum, or petroleum products; (C) knowingly sells or provides aircraft or spare aircraft parts that are used for military purposes in Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign person operating in an area directly or indirectly controlled by the Government of Syria or foreign forces associated with the Government of Syria; (D) knowingly provides significant goods or services associated with the operation of aircraft that are used for military purposes in Syria for or on behalf of the Government of Syria to any foreign person operating in an area described in subparagraph (C); or (E) knowingly, directly or indirectly, provides significant construction or engineering services to the Government of Syria. (3) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that, in implementing this section, the President should consider financial support under paragraph (2)(A) to include the provision of loans, credits, or export credits. (b) Sanctions described (1) In general The sanctions to be imposed with respect to a foreign person subject to subsection (a) are the following: (A) Blocking of property The President shall exercise all of the powers granted to the President under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i) Visas, admission, or parole An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) knows, or has reason to believe, has knowingly engaged in any activity described in subsection (a)(2) is— (I) inadmissible to the United States; (II) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and (III) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (ii) Current visas revoked (I) In general The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(i) (II) Effect of revocation A revocation under subclause (I)— (aa) shall take effect immediately; and (bb) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. (2) Penalties The penalties provided for in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1705 (3) Exception to comply with United Nations Headquarters Agreement Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international obligations. 103. Strategy relating to areas of Syria in which civilians are subject to forced displacement (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall— (1) identify the areas described in subsection (b); and (2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees the strategy described in subsection (c). (b) Areas described The areas described in this subsection are areas in Syria that the President determines— (1) are under the control of— (A) the Government of Syria; (B) the Government of the Russian Federation; (C) the Government of Iran; or (D) a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii); and (2) are areas in which civilians have been subject to forced displacement by— (A) a government specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1); or (B) a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii). (c) Strategy described The strategy described in this subsection is a strategy to deter foreign persons from entering into contracts related to reconstruction in the areas described in subsection (b) for or on behalf of— (1) a government specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection (b)(1); or (2) a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii). (d) Form The strategy required by subsection (a)(2) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (e) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. II Amendments to Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 201. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Syria or their family members (a) In general Section 702 of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8791 702. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are responsible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Syria or their family members (a) In general The President shall impose the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to each person on the list required by subsection (b). (b) List of persons who are responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (2) Inclusion of certain persons In developing the list required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider for inclusion on the list, among others, the following: (A) the President of Syria. (B) The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Syria. (C) The Council of Ministers of Syria. (D) The heads of the armed forces of Syria, including the land forces, air forces, and intelligence services. (E) The heads of the Ministry of Interior of Syria, including the Political Security Directorate, the General Intelligence Directorate, and the National Police Force. (F) The commanders and deputy commanders of the Fourth Armored Division of the armed forces of Syria. (G) The commander of the Republican Guard of Syria. (H) The Advisor for Strategic Affairs to the President of Syria. (I) The director and deputy director of the Scientific Studies and Research Center of Syria. (J) The heads of prisons under the control of the Government of Syria. (K) The governors and other heads of the security branches of the 14 provinces of Syria who are appointed by the President of Syria. (3) Updates of list The President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an updated list under paragraph (1) not later than 300 days after the date of the enactment of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (4) Form The list required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (c) Sanctions described (1) In general The sanctions to be imposed with respect to a foreign person under subsection (a) are the following: (A) In general The President shall exercise all powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 (B) Aliens ineligible for visas, admission, or parole (i) Visas, admission, or parole An alien who the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) identifies as on the list required by subsection (b) is— (I) inadmissible to the United States; (II) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and (III) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (ii) Current visas revoked (I) In general The issuing consular officer, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of one of such Secretaries) shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1201(i) (II) Effect of revocation A revocation under subclause (I)— (aa) shall take effect immediately; and (bb) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the alien’s possession. (2) Penalties A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of paragraph (1)(A) or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out paragraph (1)(A) shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1705 (3) Exception to comply with united nations headquarters agreement Sanctions under paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting the alien into the United States is necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable international agreements. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 . (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that the President should impose sanctions under section 702 of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012, as amended by subsection (a), for— (1) the deliberate targeting of civilian schools, hospitals, or markets; and (2) the deliberate diversion, hindering, or blocking of access for humanitarian purposes, including access across borders and conflict lines, with the intent to inflict suffering on civilians. 202. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or technologies to Syria that are likely to be used to commit human rights abuses Section 703(b)(2)(C) of the Syria Human Rights Accountability Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8792(b)(2)(C) (1) in clause (i), by striking or (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (iii) any article— (I) designated by the President for purposes of the United States Munitions List under section 38(a)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2778(a)(1) (II) that the President determines is significant for purposes of the imposition of sanctions under subsection (a); or (iv) other goods or technologies that the President determines are used by the Government of Syria to commit human rights abuses against the people of Syria. . III Assistance for the people of Syria 301. Briefing on monitoring and evaluating of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and to the Syrian people (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development shall brief the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on the monitoring and evaluation of ongoing assistance programs in Syria and for the Syrian people, including assistance provided through multilateral organizations. (b) Matters To be included The briefing required by subsection (a) shall include a description of— (1) the specific project monitoring and evaluation efforts, including measurable goals and performance metrics for assistance in Syria; (2) the memoranda of understanding entered into by the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and their respective Inspectors General, and the multilateral organizations through which United States assistance will be delivered that formalize requirements for the sharing of information between such entities for the conduct of audits, investigations, and evaluations; and (3) the major challenges to monitoring and evaluating such programs. 302. Assessment of potential methods to enhance the protection of civilians (a) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the potential effectiveness, risks, and operational requirements of military and non-military means to enhance the protection of civilians inside Syria, especially civilians who are in besieged areas, trapped at borders, or internally displaced. (b) Consultation The briefing required by subsection (a) shall be informed by consultations with the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and international and local humanitarian aid organizations operating in Syria. (c) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate. 303. Assistance to support entities taking actions relating to gathering evidence for investigations into war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria since March 2011 (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Attorney General and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, is authorized, consistent with the national interest, to provide assistance to support entities that are conducting criminal investigations, supporting prosecutions, or collecting evidence and preserving the chain of custody for such evidence for eventual prosecution, against those who have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria, including the aiding and abetting of such crimes by foreign governments and organizations supporting the Government of Syria, since March 2011. (b) Limitation No assistance may be provided under subsection (a) while President Bashar al-Assad remains in power— (1) to build the investigative or judicial capacities of the Government of Syria; or (2) to support prosecutions in the domestic courts in Syria. (c) Briefing Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate on assistance provided under subsection (a). 304. Codification of certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to certain services in support of nongovernmental organizations’ activities authorized), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall— (1) remain in effect on and after such date of enactment; and (2) in the case of a nongovernmental organization that is authorized to export or reexport services to Syria under such section on the day before such date of enactment, apply to such organization on and after such date of enactment to the same extent and in the same manner as such section applied to such organization on the day before such date of enactment. (b) Exception (1) In general Section 542.516 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as codified under subsection (a), shall not apply with respect to a foreign person that has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1189 (2) Effective date Paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to a foreign person on and after the date on which the designation of that person as a terrorist organization is published in the Federal Register. 305. Briefing on strategy to facilitate humanitarian assistance (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the strategy of the President to help facilitate the ability of humanitarian organizations to access financial services to help facilitate the safe and timely delivery of assistance to communities in need in Syria. (b) Consideration of data from other countries and nongovernmental organizations In preparing the strategy required by subsection (a), the President shall consider credible data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental organizations, including organizations operating in Syria. (c) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. IV General provisions 401. Suspension of sanctions (a) In general The President may suspend in whole or in part the imposition of sanctions otherwise required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act for periods not to exceed 180 days if the President determines that the following criteria have been met in Syria: (1) The air space over Syria is no longer being utilized by the Government of Syria or the Government of the Russian Federation to target civilian populations through the use of incendiary devices, including barrel bombs, chemical weapons, and conventional arms, including air-delivered missiles and explosives. (2) Areas besieged by the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran, or a foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii) are no longer cut off from international aid and have regular access to humanitarian assistance, freedom of travel, and medical care. (3) The Government of Syria is releasing all political prisoners forcibly held within the prison system of the regime of Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria is allowing full access to the same facilities for investigations by appropriate international human rights organizations. (4) The forces of the Government of Syria, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Iran, and any foreign person described in section 102(a)(2)(A)(ii) are no longer engaged in deliberate targeting of medical facilities, schools, residential areas, and community gathering places, including markets, in violation of international norms. (5) The Government of Syria is— (A) taking steps to verifiably fulfill its commitments under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, done at Geneva September 3, 1992, and entered into force April 29, 1997 (commonly known as the Chemical Weapons Convention (B) making tangible progress toward becoming a signatory to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction, done at Washington, London, and Moscow April 10, 1972, and entered into force March 26, 1975 (26 UST 583). (6) The Government of Syria is permitting the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrians displaced by the conflict. (7) The Government of Syria is taking verifiable steps to establish meaningful accountability for perpetrators of war crimes in Syria and justice for victims of war crimes committed by the Assad regime, including by participation in a credible and independent truth and reconciliation process. (b) Briefing required Not later than 30 days after the President makes a determination described in subsection (a), the President shall provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees on the determination and the suspension of sanctions pursuant to the determination. (c) Reimposition of sanctions Any sanctions suspended under subsection (a) shall be reimposed if the President determines that the criteria described in that subsection are no longer being met. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the President to terminate the application of sanctions under section 102 with respect to a person that no longer engages in activities described in subsection (a)(2) of that section. (e) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate. 402. Waivers and exemptions (a) Exemptions The following activities and transactions shall be exempt from sanctions authorized under this Act or any amendment made by this Act: (1) Any activity subject to the reporting requirements under title V of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3091 (2) Any transaction necessary to comply with United States obligations under— (A) the Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States; (B) the Convention on Consular Relations, done at Vienna April 24, 1963, and entered into force March 19, 1967; or (C) any other international agreement to which the United States is a party. (b) Waiver (1) In general The President may, for periods not to exceed 180 days, waive the application of any provision of this Act with respect to a foreign person if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States. (2) Briefing Not later than 90 days after the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the waiver. (c) Humanitarian waiver (1) In general The President may waive, for renewable periods not to exceed 2 years, the application of any provision of this Act with respect to a nongovernmental organization providing humanitarian assistance not covered by the authorization described in section 304 if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that such a waiver is important to address a humanitarian need and is consistent with the national security interests of the United States. (2) Briefing Not later than 90 days after the issuance of a waiver under paragraph (1), and every 180 days thereafter while the waiver remains in effect, the President shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on the reasons for the waiver. (d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate. 403. Implementation and regulatory authorities (a) Implementation authority The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1702 (b) Regulatory authority The President shall, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, promulgate regulations as necessary for the implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. 404. Cost limitation No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 405. Authority to consolidate reports (a) In general Any reports required to be submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act or any amendment made by this Act that are subject to a deadline for submission consisting of the same unit of time may be consolidated into a single report that is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such deadline. The consolidated reports shall contain all information required under this Act or any amendment made by this Act, in addition to all other elements mandated by previous law. (b) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. 406. Rule of construction Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 407. Sunset This Act shall cease to be effective on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 This bill establishes additional sanctions and financial restrictions on institutions and individuals related to the conflict in Syria. The Department of the Treasury shall determine whether the Central Bank of Syria is a financial institution of primary money laundering concern. If so, Treasury shall impose one or more special measures, such as requiring domestic financial institutions to maintain additional records on transactions involving the bank. The President shall impose sanctions on foreign persons that (1) provide significant support or engage in a significant transaction with the Syrian government or those acting on behalf of Syria, Russia, or Iran; or (2) are knowingly responsible for serious human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The bill also imposes sanctions on those that knowingly provide various goods or services to Syria, such as aircraft for the military, technology for the government's domestic petroleum production, items on the U.S. Munitions List, and items that the President believes are&nbsp;being used to commit human rights abuses against the Syrian people. The sanctions include blocking of financial transactions and barring of entry into the United States. Such sanctions shall not apply to activities related to providing humanitarian aid or supporting democratic institutions in Syria. The President may suspend the sanctions under certain conditions, including if it is in the United States' national security interests. The Department of State is authorized to assist entities that are conducting criminal investigations and gathering evidence to prosecute those responsible for war crimes in Syria.